December 23 – John 13

A New / Old Commandment

Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.

Read John 13

Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.

Respond with a prayer to God

The command to love one another in this chapter is not exactly new. We see it in the OT, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18. The difference is in the second part of verse 34, “as I have loved you, so you may love one another.” Jesus is telling them to love others the same way he had just demonstrated. He washed their feet. This was unusual, and normally a job for servants, so it shocked them. After all, he was their leader, wasn’t he? In their minds, especially Peter’s, he should never do such a menial job for them. Another aspect of the newness of this commandment may be that it encompasses all of them. (Matthew 22:34-40)

He was leaving an example of how to love another by meeting the needs of his neighbors with his actions. Although he was the Son of God, and equal to God, he positioned himself as a servant to them. He even served Judas, his betrayer, in the same way as all the others. The entire purpose of Jesus’ birth was not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). His whole ministry consisted of teaching and serving others, which these disciples witnessed on a daily basis. Moving on from this night, he stayed on course, right to His death on the cross. He continued to love and serve his own right up to the end, when he fulfilled his purpose and returned to his Father in heaven.

This love for one another flows from the love of God within a true believer and is the very thing that sets them apart and shows the rest of the world that we are his followers. Verse 35 says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” If someone has no regard for others, they are not his. God’s word is clear about this. “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death” (1 John 3:14). Wrong attitudes and motives can be hidden from others for a while, but never from God.

My verse: John 13:7, “Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”’

No, they did not understand why Jesus would wash their feet. Neither do I understand what’s going on at times. When things were so terribly wrong in my world when I was a young mother, I had no idea why. My pastor at the time explained that God was tearing down so he could rebuild. I don’t recall it making much sense at all when he said this. I just wanted out of what I thought was a hopeless situation that would never change. Now, almost 40 years later, I have a better understanding. Because of what occurred in my life, I am able to see the hurt of others in a way I could not have before. He does not let any of our pain and suffering go to waste when we belong to him. He redeems it.

My response: Oh Lord, I can truly say thank you for what you have brought me through thus far. Use me, Lord, to serve others and reach out to others in love, just as Jesus demonstrated.