Love

April 1 Love John 13:31-38

“The last hour was at hand. Christ knew how weak the minds of the disciples were, and He wanted to support them in every possible way so that they might not fail. Even today, the very thought of the cross of Christ would make us tremble were we not at once met by the consolation that on the cross He triumphed, victorious over Satan, sin and death.” John Calvin “Commentary on John” Vol. 5:68

With Judas gone, Jesus was able to launch into an intensive teaching experience for the remaining disciples. Realizing that time was running out, He tried to prepare them for the difficult days ahead. He began by reminding them that His main concern was to glorify His Father in heaven. This was a glory in which He shared, yet Jesus understood that in order to bring glory to the Father, He had to do the Father’s will. In effect, this was what He required of the disciples. They, too, would glorify God if they did as He asked.

Jesus’ command was that they should love one another. He had given them a practical demonstration of selfless love when He washed their feet. Now, they must lay aside the competition that divides and commit to love. They had been the recipients of Jesus’ love as they traveled with Him throughout His ministry. They would witness the supreme expression of sacrificial love when Jesus took up the Cross for their sakes. Therefore, they must learn to love.

This was not really a new commandment. Leviticus 19:18 speaks of the necessity of loving others “as you love yourself.” Jesus’ interpretation made this into a higher standard. They were to love one another “as I have loved you.” The principle of sacrifice was to be the guiding influence upon their lives. It was also to be the foundation of the new community which would become the Church. Unlike human institutions, designed to further the ambitions of individuals, the Church was to be begun, continued, and ended in Christ-like love.

Peter, as always, rebelled. He was sure, by this stage, that Jesus was walking into a trap and that His death would surely follow. Rather than attempting to dissuade Jesus, Peter offered to join Him. If Jesus died, so would he! Tradition suggests that Peter was, indeed, martyred for the Gospel, but Jesus was adamant that this was not the time. Peter would be needed as a leader in the fledgling Church; his enthusiasm and breadth of vision would be essential. So Jesus told Peter that, for now, he could not follow.

Peter came close to insisting. He was willing to lay down his life for Jesus. No doubt, in that moment, he was totally sincere. But it is one thing to protest your loyalty in the safety of an upper room, surrounded by friends, with the lingering effects of a good meal. It would be a very different matter out in the cold night. Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He knew that he would not be able to resist temptation. Before the cock crowed, Peter would have denied his Lord three times.

Did Peter’s brave words stick in his throat? Did he realize, in that moment, that he was not very far from betraying Jesus? Perhaps that was why the disciples made no attempt to restrain Judas – they saw the darkness in their own hearts. They did not trust themselves. Fortunately, Jesus saw beyond Peter’s denial to Peter’s faith. He would fall down, but Peter would not stay down. By grace, even the disciple who denied the Lord would end up giving the glory to God.

For further reading: Psalm 61