[Jesus said] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Devotion based on John 13:34

The night before Jesus died, he gathered with his disciples in the upper room. Jesus didn’t fill them with motivational slogans or empty optimism. He didn’t tell them to “go out and change the world.” Instead, with only hours left before his betrayal and death, he gave them a command—not flashy or complicated, but one that would truly change the world: “Love one another.”

The command to love wasn’t new; God had given it through Moses centuries earlier. But the standard was: “As I have loved you.” A love that is sacrificial, unconditional, one-way—a love only Jesus has ever truly shown.

It sounds simple, but it’s anything but easy. Jesus didn’t say, “Love when it’s convenient” or “Love when it’s deserved.” He said, “Love as I have loved you.” It’s a love that reaches down to wash dirty feet, extends bread to betrayers, and stretches out arms on a cross. That’s how Jesus loved us—a love that gives fully, serves humbly, and forgives completely.

And now he calls us to love one another in that same way. But let’s be honest. We don’t naturally want to. It’s easy to love those who love us, to serve when it’s noticed, or to forgive when it feels safe. But what about the people who frustrate us? Disappoint us? Wound us? Jesus still says, “Love them.”

How? By remembering that he loved us first. He loved us when we were unlovable. He gave himself fully when we had nothing to offer. Jesus’ love isn’t just a model—it’s our motivation, our foundation, and our strength. His love forgives our failures to love. His love changes hearts. His love empowers us to love others—not to earn anything from God, but because we already have everything in Christ.

So, what does this mean for you? It means your life matters—not necessarily because you accomplish great things, but because you reflect the love of Jesus. It means you carry a kind of love into the world that can’t be found anywhere else. And it means that when you love, people see their Savior.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.