Known by How We Love

It was the night before the cross. Jesus had washed His disciples' feet, and Judas had just slipped out into the darkness to betray Him. In that heavy, tender moment, Jesus gave His closest friends something to hold onto. He called it a new commandment: love one another the way I have loved you.

Now, the idea of loving others wasn't new. The Old Testament had already told God's people to love their neighbors. So what made this commandment new? The standard. Jesus didn't say, "Love others the way you want to be loved", He said, "Love the way I have loved you." That changes everything. His love was selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. He loved people who let Him down, He loved people who didn't deserve it. He loved all the way to the cross, that is the kind of love Jesus calls us to show each other.

Here is what makes this so powerful: Jesus says this love will be a witness to the world. Not our church buildings, not our programs, not even our theological knowledge. The thing that will make people stop and take notice is when they see Christians genuinely, sacrificially loving one another.

That is a high calling, and honestly, it is one we often fall short of. Church families get hurt, friendships grow cold, we hold grudges. We keep our distance, but Jesus says the watching world is looking at how we treat each other.

Today, think about one person in your church or community you could love a little better. Maybe it means a phone call, a kind word, or letting go of something you've been holding onto. Love like Jesus loved, and let that love point people straight to Him.