John 13:31-35…
When he had gone out, Jesus said. Now that Judas had left, and the atmosphere had been changed, Jesus would get down to some details.
He speaks of His crucifixion. Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
He speaks of His resurrection. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.
He speaks of His ascension. 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.
He speaks of His instruction. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
He speaks of His intention. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Jesus wants people to know that we are Christians. So many people have dynamite words but firecracker works. Yet while it is more than words, it is also more than deeds, it is words matched with deeds bathed in truth (1 John 3:18).
Jesus did not say that we become disciples by loving one another. We become disciples by personal faith in Him who offered the atoning sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. Loving others is not the root of our discipleship, it is the fruit. They will know we are Christians by our love.
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