READ: John 13 (Focus vs. 31-38)
MEMORY VERSE
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
BACKGROUND
Stradivarius violins, cellos, and guitars are among the most treasured musical instruments in the world. Crafted during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the pieces are rare and invaluable. Something so precious deserves the utmost care.
So when a Stradivarius cello—worth more than $20 million—fell off a table during a photo shoot, it was truly shocking!
Just as a Stradivarius must be handled carefully, so must our relationships. We’re to love others because Christ demonstrated His love toward us.
In John 13:34, Jesus gave His disciples a command that requires careful attention: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Why did Christ call it a new command? It was new because it was rooted in the way Jesus loved people.
This new command to love wasn’t careless or casual but intentional, precious, and sacrificial. Loving this way would lead to discipleship, self-denial, and possibly even death for the disciples.
This care for one another would be how they survived in a difficult and hostile world after Christ’s departure. And Jesus told them, “Everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (v. 35).
Let’s carefully and sacrificially love others—reflecting Jesus’ precious and priceless love.
Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
John 13 forms the prelude to Jesus’ Upper Room Discourse (ch. 13-17)—His final teaching time with His disciples before going to the cross. Throughout the discourse, He speaks of the need for those who believe in Him to love one another (13:34-35; 15:12, 17).
But before speaking about that important truth, He modeled it by taking upon Himself the place of the lowliest servant and washing His disciples’ feet (13:2-12). He went on to explain that this act was to set an example to them of humble sacrificial service (vv. 12-17).
This humble service found its fullest expression when Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (15:13). Those powerful words would be enacted in a few short hours as Jesus would lay down His life on the cross to take away the sins of the world.
Because of His sacrificial love for us, He can help us sacrificially love others.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
Why is it difficult to show love to some people? What can help you love them in a way that reflects the love Jesus revealed?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“(Christ’s) new command to love wasn’t careless or casual but intentional, precious, and sacrificial …Because of His sacrificial love for us, He can help us sacrificially love others.”
PR’s TAKE
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important:” Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, thank You for sacrificially loving me. Please help me love others the same way.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“LOVE YOU WITH THE LOVE OF THE LORD”
I love you with the love of the Lord.
Yes, I love you with the love or the Lord.
I can see in you the glory of my King,
And I love you with the love of the Lord.
I love you with the love of the Lord.
Yes, I love you with the love oF the Lord.
I can see in you the glory of my King,
And I love you with the love of the Lord.
I love you with the love of the Lord….
