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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. – John 13:34-35 (ESV)
This is a memory verse for me. The problem with memory verses is that they don’t give the setting; we must be diligent to continue to place the memory verse in the proper setting. Here the proper setting shows the type of love Jesus gives and asks us to give.
This is the night of Jesus’ arrest. This is His last chance to be with His disciples before the cross. He washes their feet (even Judas’) but Peter doesn’t understand this act. Judas, one of the Twelve, leaves to betray Jesus. Jesus tells the disciples that they cannot come where He is going. Peter asserts his devotion only to be told that he will persistently deny ever knowing Jesus.
In the midst of all of this, Jesus talks about love: a love that persists in the midst of fighting, denial, and betrayal; a love that defines who we are as His followers because it is so different than the love we see elsewhere. Real love.
