We are nearing the end of John’s gospel. This week as we read quietly through Scripture we come to Jesus’s final conversation with His disciples before He heads toward the Cross.
Nov 2- 6
Day 1 John 12:37-50
Day 2 John 13
Day 3 John 14
Day 4 John 15
Day 5 John 16
The New Commandment
Beginning in chapter 13 Jesus starts to make mention of a new commandment.
“A new commandment I give to you that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (emphasis added).
Shortly before Jesus gave the new commandment He washed the feet of His followers (John 13:1-12). Feet washing was the task designated to the lowest servant in the household, yet there was Jesus willing to perform this task. It was an act of service, an intimate act of service and an act of love.
Afterward Jesus explained that if He was willing to perform such a humble acts of service, then those who follow Him must be willing to do the same. “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:13-14, emphasis added).
One another. Do you notice the repetition of the phrase? Jesus used it in verses 14, 34 and 35.
Jesus was their example. He demonstrated for them (and for us) that serving others is an act of love. He showed that putting another person’s needs above our wants or our status is fulfillment of the new commandment. Jesus repeats this commandment again and again.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
“These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17
If this is the commandment that Jesus emphasized just before His crucifixion, it must be important.
The Answered Prayer
Jesus also repeated another idea during His last conversation with His disciples.
“If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:14
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the father in My name He may give you.” John 15:16
“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” John 16:23
This is a pretty astounding promise. Ask anything — anything! — and the Father will give it to you? Yes, but notice that there is a stipulation. Whatever you ask must be asked in Jesus name.
These statements about answered prayer are woven and intertwined with His statements about loving one another, abiding in Him, and experiencing fullness of joy. And all of these things work together to bring glory to God.
“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13
Loving others as Christ loves brings glory to God. Abiding in Christ enables us to love as He did. Loving as He did brings us joy to the fullest.
Lord, helps us to love others as You do. Help us to perform acts of service that bring You glory. Show us were our service is lacking love. Please teach us to pray prayers that honor You. Lord, we also ask that as You teach us to serve and pray rightly that we experience Your joy to the fullest. In Jesus name. Amen.
This post is part of a series dedicated to reading quietly through the Gospel according to John. Click here to see all the post and find the full reading plan.
Only by grace,
Kelli
