ESOCS Devotional 27 December 2023 – Love the Chrsit Way
MEMORY VERSE: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13: 34
TEXT: JOHN 13:21-35
When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.
30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Jesus commanded us to love one another as He loves us. This commandment appears in several other places in the New Testament such our memory verse. Loving others is obviously a big deal; it’s one of the greatest commandments, and it’s at the core of Christianity.
You love others by encouraging them. When you encourage someone, you give them courage, support, and hope. You help them go through their trials and keep moving forward. Jesus exemplified it many times with His disciples, as illustrated in John 14:1, 27; 16:33. He still encourages and comforts us today, and wants us to comfort others.
Show love by praying for others, friends, and enemies alike. When you lift others before God, it shows you think about them, cares about their needs, and want the best for them. When Jesus walked the earth, He regularly prayed for others. He prayed for His disciples and all believers in John 17. And He also prayed for His enemies, even the ones who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
Loving others means putting them above yourself. C. S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of you, but thinking of you less.” Jesus humbled Himself to become human and die on the cross (Philippians 2:8). You love like Christ when you don’t discriminate but accept everyone regardless of their background. Welcome others that may have a different race, political views, etc. and treat them with kindness and respect. Jesus welcomed everyone! He played with children, valued women, interacted with Samaritans, had dinner with tax collectors, touched lepers, etc. He still welcomes anyone who will come to Him today, regardless of their background and shower them with His love. To love others is to serve them. You love others when you do things for them without expecting anything in return, things you may not like to do, and that will cost or inconvenience you. There is no love without service. Jesus said He came to serve others (Mark 10:45). He fulfilled it throughout His life by the numerous miracles He performed, ministering to the sick, allowing Himself to be interrupted to help others, etc. He showed His most significant act of love and service on the cross when He died for us.
We love one another by living at peace with them. When we genuinely love others, we forgive them. We let go of their offenses and choose not to hold it against them. If you harbor unforgiveness towards someone, you decide to be right rather than be reconciled; you choose the situation instead of the relationship, and that’s not loving. Forgiveness is an expression of love; there cannot be love without forgiveness.
Telling painful truths to one another is an act of love. When others are in error or sin, don’t let them persist in it for fear of offending them. Instead, show love by correcting them gently and privately, with kindness and grace. Build them up with the truth, don’t tear them down with lies or omission. Loving like Jesus is not easy, but glory be to God, we don’t have to do it with our strength alone! Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit, and by His power, we can truly love others like that.
- What way can you ensure that Satan does not keep you in darkness?
- Lord, give me grace to love others as You have loved me.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 7:15–25; Luke 2:1-21; I John 4:7–21
ESOCS Devotional 27 December 2023
