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 13:34-35.
How do you recognize Jesus’ followers? How do you find true Christians? Many people claim to be followers of Jesus, but are they really? How do we know?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us three ways that show we are his true disciples: we abide in his word (John 8:31-32 ESV), we bear much fruit (John 15:8), and we love one another (John 13:35). Today, we focus on our love for one another as a mark of true discipleship. Jesus said his disciples would love each other just as he loved them. In the immediate context, this kind of love is defined: like Jesus, we are willing to love and serve each other selflessly and practically — just as he washed their feet and later went to the cross while protecting them. The Lords ministry revealed he would do almost anything to demonstrate his love for his disciples, whether extravagant, simple, or something in between. Imagine if we all followed the Lord Jesus’ example and proved ourselves his disciples by loving each other in the same way Jesus demonstrated his love to them and to us!