I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John tells us this new commandment twice.
One time followed Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet.
The second time was after he gave the metaphor of the vine and branches and fruit when he told them that no greater love can you have than to give up your life for someone else.
What else could Jesus have done to drive this teaching home?
He served. He died.
By what does everyone around us know us?
Would they say, “this truly is a servant and a disciple”?
Would they say, “this is truly just another hypocritical Christian who says one thing while the life they are leading betrays their true values”?
Let me change the title of this meditation to “How would we like everyone to know us”.
Where are we compared to the gold standard?
What can we do today to live up to it?
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