“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34–35 (NLT)
Love was not new. The Law of Moses commanded God’s people to love their neighbor as themselves. But Jesus doesn’t repeat that command here. He raises the standard. Just as I have loved you, He says. That is why this commandment is new. The measure is no longer self-love—it is Christ’s love.
Earlier in this chapter, Jesus shows exactly what that love looks like. Knowing His hour had come, knowing where He came from and where He was going, Jesus got up from the table, took the lowest position, and washed His disciples’ feet. John tells us He had loved them throughout His ministry, and now He loved them to the very end—the full extent of His love put on display.
Luke records the story of the Last Supper differently. Instead of revealing Jesus’ words about love being a new commandment, Luke records Jesus saying, “The greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant…for I am among you as one who serves.” The message is the same. Loving like Jesus means choosing the lowest place and giving yourself away. Love is not a feeling to be managed; it is a life to be poured out.
Jesus loved His disciples before they were impressive. He chose them before they were useful. His love preceded their fruitfulness. That is different from how we often love. We love those who benefit us, affirm us, or produce something for us. Jesus loved first—and stayed patient, present, and committed while they learned.
Now love is the identifying mark of God’s people. Not knowledge. Not position. Not discipline. Love proves we belong to Him. I’ve got work to do. Feet to wash. People to love who can’t help me yet. If love is the mark of a disciple, then I don’t just need better intentions—I need a lower posture. How about you?