Love One Another
The Mark of A Disciple
True love has a certain grit and staying power to it. Despite his disciples being stubborn and slow to learn, Jesus patiently stuck with them to the very end.
-Jim Palmer, Wide Open Spaces
Jesus knew his time was short.
He was sharing a precious, bittersweet meal with the men who had been his followers and his dear friends for the last three years. He loved them dearly, and they were his own.
He was getting ready to leave them, and he wanted to make sure that in these last moments he instilled in them what they would need to know and understand to carry on his mission. He had time for one last lesson, one last word of wisdom.
This scene reminds me of the mother saying goodbye to her daughter before her first day of kindergarten; that moment where she has one last chance to speak a word of encouragement.
Or perhaps the mother who is sending her teenage son to camp, and is standing in that last moment that she has to remind him of everything she has tried to teach him over the years. How can she say all of it in one brief message?
This is the place where Jesus was standing. He was aware of the trials that his beloved would face, and he needed to sum up all they would need to know in one last message:
My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
(John 13:34)
This is the mark of a disciple: Love.
How did Jesus prepare for demonstrate this message? By washing his disciples' feet.
He loved by serving.
How do you show love when it is difficult?
It is so easy to say "love one another." It can be very difficult to do sometimes. Share with us ways that you have found to show love when it doesn't come so easily.
Do you have a website? Add your bio and link.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
It's All In the Introduction
Not rated yet
So, I've taken on a personal commitment/challenge to memorize the book of Philippians (my first job is to learn how to spell it). Being ready to jump ...
Serving Resources
 |
One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World By Julie Ferwerda / Winepress Publishing |
 |
Ministry According to Jesus, DVD By Jill Briscoe |
 |
101 Ways to Reach Your Community By Steve Sjogren |
 |
101 Ways to Help People in Need By Steve Sjogren |
 |
Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News and Good Works By R.J. Sider, P.N. Olson & H.R. Unruh |
 |
Take Your Best Shot: Do Something Bigger Than Yourself By Austin Gutwein with Todd Hillard / Thomas Nelson |
 |
Good News and Good Works By Ronald Sider |
 |
The Jesus of Suburbia: Have We Tamed the Son of God to Fit Our Lifestyle? By Mike Erre / Thomas Nelson |
Discipleship Resources
 |
Drawing Women Closer to the Heart of God, DVD By Beverly LaHaye / Word Entertainment Inc |
 |
When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference By Carolyn Custis James / Zondervan |
 |
My Utmost For His Highest, Classic Edition, Mass Market Paperback By Oswald Chambers / Barbour Publishing |
 |
The Practice of the Presence of God By Brother Lawrence / Baker |
 |
O2: Breathing New Life into Faith By Richard Dahlstrom / Harvest House Publishers |
 |
The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
 |
The Beloved Disciple: Following John to the Heart of Jesus (abridged on 3 Compact Discs) By Beth Moore, Sandra Burr / Brilliance Audio |
 |
John: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple By Beth Moore / B & H Publishing Group |
New! Comments
Share you thoughts. Leave me a comment in the box below.