Do Whatever He Tells You: Week 2 John 13:18-38

As jesus and his disciples are around the table about to enjoy the passover feast together, jesus shares that one in the group will betray him. He is demonstrating his absolute sovereignty and the glory of god is shining. Betrayal is in motion, and in a moment of powerful emotion, jesus pulls out a word of affection and calls them something a bit different and unique. In verse 33, he says, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the jews, so now I also say to you, ‘where I am going you cannot come.'” this is a term of affection and a set up for his command that he is about to give them. Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have love you, you also are to love one anther.” this command to love each other is not new in itself.(lev 19:18). The new part is to love as jesus loved you. This supernatural love can only come through him. So, what does this new love look like? We love as he loved us:

1. When we show up – When we love incarnationally, it is compelling to the world. A ministry of presence makes a huge difference for someone who needs support. (1 John 4:10-11)
2. When we give our lives away – This is self-sacrifice. Jesus took our sin in this way. We must prefer others over ourselves.
3. When we pray for others – They may never know we are praying for them, but we are loving them well when we do.

The goal of loving others as He loved us is not the admiration of how we love one another. Our extravagant love for each other as disciples points to someone…Jesus. In verses 36-38, Peter presses the issue. Jesus goes on to show through Peter that this type of sacrificial love is impossible without the supernatural love of Jesus. (Jeremiah 31:31-34 – He gives us a new heart.) Jesus gave us a command, which implies that it is not always easy to do. We do know that He loves us, and He gave us a new heart when we were born again. The ball is in our court to love others and point them to Him.