Love One Another

Before Jesus uttered His new commandment to His disciples – the one to love one another – He washed their feet. He also experienced a troubling in His spirit.

What troubled Jesus that evening?

Jesus told His disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” [1] One of His disciples was about to betray Him.

The disciples looked at one another. They were perplexed. A disciple close to Jesus asked Him, “Who is it?” Jesus answered him, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.

“The giving of the dipped bread designated special honor, like a toast.” [2]

Jesus blessed him who cursed Him. He treated him who deserved no love with special kindness.

Was it for Judas that Jesus was troubled? God wants all people to be saved.

The devil had cultivated Judas to make the wrong decision – to betray Jesus. Judas listened to the devil. The devil entered the heart of Judas. [3]

The destiny of Judas was a horrible one. First suicide, and then, an eternity without God. Jesus said, “Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” [4]

Thus, it is with all who decide to reject Jesus. It is an extremely ill choice.

After Judas left, Jesus said to His remaining disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [5]

“The command to love was not new; but the extent of love just displayed by Jesus was new, as would be the display of the cross. Love was newly defined from His example.” [6]

“Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for the times we have been unfaithful to love You and our fellow disciples as we should. Help to love as You love. Deeply! Humbly! Sacrificially! Faithfully! Please keep us in the fold of those who love You, and of those who love one another. For it is Your Name that we pray. Amen.”

[1] John 13:21
[2] Quotes from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary

[3] John 13:2, 27

[4] John 13:34-35
[5] Matthew 26:24
[6] Quote from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary