John 13:1-17, 31-35

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 

There is an old song with the verse, "love makes the world go round."  Today, Maundy Thursday, is a reminder of this adage.  Jesus loved his disciples and He had spent the last three years teaching them about love; about unconditional love.

Our own lives are a testimony to power of love, for when we experience the love of family and of friends, there is more peace and joy.  Love will cause us to feel intense pain when a loved when dies or even moves away.  There is a sense of loss that isn't experienced when love has not been a factor.

Holy Week can be filled with uncertainty and sadness as we relive Jesus' passion.  When someone we love feels pain, we feel pain right along with them. Taking the time to reflect on the physical suffering Jesus felt during His walk to the Cross, will often cause us to feel a little off-center.  The Good News though, is the good news of the Resurrection.  Tomorrow is Good Friday, but take heart, Sunday is coming.

Jesus knew his followers would need one another to get through the next few days, then weeks and months ahead.  He also knows we need each other to get though our days here on earth.  The love we get and give makes the world go round.




Read John 13:1-17, 31-35 here

Listen to John 13:1-17, 31-35 here