John 13:31-38
Love One Another
Read the passage
31When Judas had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.
32If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify the Son in Himself—and will glorify Him at once.
33Little children, I am with you only a little while longer. You will look for Me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I say to you: ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
36“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”
37“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
38“Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After Judas leaves, Jesus says the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in Him. Betrayal has begun, yet Jesus speaks of glory. His coming death will reveal His obedience and love rather than defeat the Father's purpose.
He tells the disciples He will be with them only a little longer. As He prepares them for His departure, He gives a new command: they are to love one another as He has loved them. His own love gives the command its measure. They have just received His humble service, and they will soon see how far His love goes.
This love will identify them as His disciples. Other people should be able to recognize something of their Lord in the way they treat one another. Being known as His followers involves more than saying they belong to Him.
Peter asks where Jesus is going and promises to lay down his life for Him. Jesus answers that Peter cannot follow now but will later, and that before the rooster crows Peter will deny Him three times. Peter is offering his life before he understands his own weakness. The love that will sustain these disciples begins with Jesus' faithfulness, not the strength of their promises.
Questions
1 What new commandment does Jesus give the disciples?
AnswerJesus gives a new command: love one another as he has loved his disciples. He speaks it before they understand how much they will fail.
2 How will people recognize Jesus' disciples?
AnswerPeople will recognize Jesus' disciples by their love for one another. Jesus gives them a new commandment to love as He has loved them.
3 Why does Peter's confident promise fail to match Jesus' warning?
AnswerPeter's promise fails because he is confident in his own courage, while Jesus knows Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Peter's desire is sincere, but it is not yet strong enough for the trial ahead.
4 How can our household practice patient love instead of making promises we have not learned to keep?
AnswerChoose one person in the household who is easy to overlook or criticize. Offer that person patient attention or practical help, and do not use the act to demand gratitude or control.
What This Means for Us
“As I have loved you” keeps the command from becoming a vague demand to be nice. Jesus' love tells the truth, serves humbly, remains faithful, and does not call betrayal or abuse acceptable.
Peter's coming denial also gives a household a reason for humility. We should not build our identity on promises about how strong we are; we should practice repentance and repair when our courage fails.
Prayer
Father, make Jesus' love visible in our household. Give us patience when we are disappointed, courage to repair what we damage, and wisdom to keep love joined to truth and safety. Amen.