Sometimes it is quite evident to tell who is a part of a certain family, as the physical similarities are quite noticeable. In one family, having red hair and freckles may be the family trait. In another family they may all be tall and big-boned. In other families, the characteristics may be some talent or skill that they all have, such as being good swimmers, or the whole family are bookworms. There is one characteristic that those who are in the family of Christ all should have. Our Scripture today from the Gospel of John tells us what that one characteristic is. Let’s look, and see what characteristics we should be having.
Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John takes place in the upper room where Jesus and His disciples spent the evening before His crucifixion, and where they celebrated the Passover, and established Holy Communion. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus had washed the disciples feet, including His betrayer, Judas Iscariot. Now He begins a series of private talks with the disciples which continues on through the end of chapter 17.
Jesus started out by saying that very shortly, actually in just a few short hours, He will be glorified, and that God will be glorified through Him (vs. 31-32). We know that in less than twenty-four hours Jesus was going to be arrested, brutally treated by His enemies, cruelly scourged, and then crucified. That does not look anything like being glorified. When someone is glorified, they might receive medals, awards, or trophies. They might have a parade in their honor, a banquet, and be seated in the place of honor. Certainly not executed like a common criminal!
However, this was exactly the way that God would be glorified. The death of Jesus upon the cross, the shedding of His sinless Blood, was necessary for the atonement of the sins of mankind, and is central to our salvation. This sacrifice shows the greatness and all-encompassing love of God for us. Jesus’ death and resurrection would glorify God by destroying the power of Satan.
Next Jesus turned His attention to telling His disciples a new commandment, and that is that they love one another just as He has loved them (vs. 34-35). It is by showing such a love for each other that others will know that they are followers of the Savior.
Just what kind of love did Jesus have? First, it is a sacrificial love, a love that was so strong that He willingly gave His life to pay the price for our sins. We should have a love for others, one that, though we may not actually have to give our life for another, we are readily willing to sacrifice what we can for them. We can give of our time, our money, our belongings to others, giving what we can without begrudging the sacrifice.
Jesus also loved everyone. He accepted everyone, Jewish, Samaritan, or Gentile, men and women. No one was turned away. When He was ready to return to heaven, Jesus told the disciples to go into the world and bring the Gospel to everyone. Just like the children’s song goes “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” They are all precious in His sight. We need to follow in His footsteps there, too, showing love to everyone, whether they look like us or not, or whether they speak like us, as well.
The world at the time of the early Church was a harsh and cruel one. There was very little love and caring for others. One may love their family, and have a degree of love or caring for one’s close friends, but that was it. There was no love, caring, or compassion for the poor, the homeless, or the critically ill. Even common courtesies that one might extend to a stranger were rare. The pagan religions of the day certainly did not teach kindness and love to others. However, that is exactly what Christianity taught. The people of the day took notice of this. They noticed that the Christians helped the poor when no one else would. They saw that they took care of the sick, the widows and orphans, which the pagan religions did not teach to do. Even today, no other religion stresses the necessity in showing love one for another, and caring for “the least of these”.
How can others know if we are one of Jesus’ children? Jesus told us what that identifier is, and that is love. In words and deeds, a believer should show love to all those around. A Christian’s love for others should be obvious. As followers of Christ, our love should make us stand out in a crowd.
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