Today’s devotion emphasizes the straightforward command to love one another, a clear indicator of Jesus’ discipleship. This instruction is not only for the disciples but also for all believers like us, and we are called to make it a part of our daily lives.

Bible Reading of the Day

AM – 2 Chronicles 10-12

PM – John 13:18-38

𝕿𝖎𝖙𝖑𝖊: 𝕷𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝕺𝖓𝖊 𝕬𝖓𝖔𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗

𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟑:𝟑𝟒,𝟑𝟓 𝐊𝐉𝐕

𝑨 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑰 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓; 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑩𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆𝒏 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.

Jesus was with His disciples in the same room where He washed their feet, delivering important lessons. However, a key moment had occurred: Judas left the room. John notes that it was dark during this event, symbolizing not just the world’s darkness but also Judas’s inner state. Despite witnessing Jesus’s humble example, Judas chose to depart and betray Him, failing to understand the true meaning of Jesus’s life and teachings.

Right after Judas departed, Jesus began to prepare His disciples’ hearts for His coming death, burial, resurrection, and eventual return to Heaven. With a few words, He redirected their focus from humility and service to God’s glory. This is not contradictory; those truly striving for God’s glory will be humble and submissive in their service to both God and others.

The cross is a pivotal symbol in human history, often unnoticed. Calendar eras are divided into BC and AD, with the border marking Jesus’ life and death. Jesus aimed to glorify the Father and wanted God to be glorified through Him. He accomplished this by fulfilling His mission, just as His followers have over the centuries. God’s glorification occurs when we obey His will. On earth, Jesus glorified His Father by completing His divine assignment. As He approached the cross to die for humanity’s sins, He was acting in obedience to His Father and bringing glory to Him.

The core message in 𝟏 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟓:𝟐𝟐 emphasizes that obedience is more important than any offerings we give to God. In the days ahead, Jesus would face many chances to choose His own will over God’s. Yet, He would pass each test, ultimately bringing glory to God through His death, just as He had done throughout His life.

Subsequently, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment. While this commandment was not entirely new, as it was not the first time God directed humanity to love one another, it emphasized a fresh aspect. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟖 teaches us to love our neighbours as ourselves.

Verse 35 highlights the incredible power of this love. When we demonstrate God’s love to others, the world will see us as followers of Jesus. This love is special, unmatched by any other in the world or other faiths. It is a divine gift given to those who trust in Jesus Christ. Through this love, we can profoundly influence a world that is lost and seeking salvation.