May 15: John 13:31-35

Key Verse: John 13:34
A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Devotion:
When we start getting too comfortable in our lives as Christians, we may not forget about the commandments God has given us, but we may well start to ignore this commandment Jesus gave us. Jesus was speaking to everyone who was around the table, all of the disciples; I sometimes wonder whether He was trying to get them to remember this more because of what was about to happen...

Jesus follows on these verses by telling Peter he would deny Jesus three times before the morning was broken. But He had also just told them there was one who was about to betray Him. But these words between these two acts must always be remembered by us all. Jesus was telling them to love one another no matter what was about to happen!

We do get upset with people when we think they have done something wrong against us and we may well shun them or even try to get even with them. This is the type of act Jesus is warning us about because, if Jesus had got upset with Peter for denying Him three times, imagine what could have happened to Peter. Instead, Peter continues to be loved and, as prophesied by Jesus, was going to be remembered for many good things instead of the denials.

Jesus showed Judas great love and did not stop him from betraying Him to the Roman soldiers. His love continued even though He knew for a fact Judas was guilty! No matter how far we go in our lives, Christ is always willing to forgive us and to invite us to be with Him in Heaven… no matter what!

Points to Ponder:
How easily do you get upset with others?

Will you try to continue to treat all people equally?