Devotion for May 10, 2022

John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now, I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I remember so many quiet moments holding my own children when they were babies, or exhausted toddlers. As they were so peaceful, I experienced profound depths of love for them. As they got older and found ways to antagonize each other, I had to remember those other moments in order not to lose my mind. Yet love prevailed, and that same love I felt for them is what I wanted my kids to develop for one another.

Jesus did not just say I want you to follow my example. Jesus told his followers to love others as he had loved them. Furthermore, he indicated that it was evidence of this love for one another that would allow others to know they were his disciples. I recently noticed a book title on my shelf, “Why Christians Shoot Their Wounded,” and couldn’t help but recall it when reading this passage. The world cannot be expected to want to follow Christ when they see the purveyors of his love be anything but loving towards one another. I invite you to consider how you can be the example of what Jesus commanded. Alone a single person cannot change the perception globally, but you and I can start where we are called to love and serve.