Training in love

(This is a condensed version of the sermon that was preached by Paul Wicking on April 27, 2025.)

John 13:31–38
 

Today we pick up in the middle of a scene: Jesus, after washing his disciples’ feet—including Judas's—has just seen Judas leave to betray him. In this moment, Jesus speaks to the remaining disciples about love.
Jesus says: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Why is it a new command? God had already commanded people to love each other, but this love is different—deeper, richer, sacrificial. It’s not simply “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), but “love as I have loved you” — a love that would soon take Jesus to the cross.
Jesus gives two reasons for this new command:
1.    Glory is revealed in love
Jesus speaks of his glorification in verses 31–32. The cross—an instrument of torture and shame—becomes the place where God’s goodness, mercy, justice, and holiness are most clearly revealed. Jesus' sacrifice shows God’s glory, and it is love that leads him there. As Jesus says later: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Our love for one another likewise reveals God's glory.
2.    Christ is present in love
Jesus tells his disciples he is leaving and they cannot come. Though his physical body would soon be gone, his presence would continue through their love for one another. When believers serve, encourage, and care for each other, Christ himself is with them.
And what’s the result of living out this command?
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (v.35).
After Jesus' departure, people would no longer recognize his followers by their physical presence with him, but by their love that mirrors his. True Christ-like love cannot be faked, and it will distinguish real disciples from the world.
What does this love look like?
•    Serving One Another
Jesus served his disciples by humbling himself, even washing their dirty feet. Loving each other means serving humbly and investing time and energy in each other’s lives, just as Jesus did.
•    Growing One Another
Like a gardener nurturing a tree, Jesus grew his disciples by encouraging them when they did well and correcting them when they strayed. Loving one another means supporting each other spiritually and courageously speaking the truth when needed, always wrapped in prayer.
•    Forgiving One Another
Jesus forgave Peter after his betrayal and even forgave those crucifying him. Loving each other means forgiving offenses, not holding grudges, recognizing that in our messy, imperfect efforts to love, forgiveness must flow freely.

Jesus repeated it three times: “Love one another... Love one another... Love one another...”
By serving, growing, and forgiving each other as Jesus did, we reveal God’s glory to the world. We make Christ present among us. And the world will recognize that we truly are his disciples.
So let us love one another boldly, truthfully, and graciously—because through that love, we shine the light of Christ to a watching world.