Loving like Jesus
John 13:31-35
By Ysrael De la Cruz
As followers of Jesus God has an expectation for us; it is his will that we be molded to the image of his Son (Jesus). Romans 8:29 God predestined us to be conformed to the image of his Son. What this means is that people should see Jesus in us. We should reflect Jesus in the world, for this is God’s goal for his people. Sanctification is the process by which we become more like Jesus. Furthermore, we all have areas in our lives that we don’t reflect Jesus. In other words, we have attitudes that truly do not resemble Jesus. For example, do you persevere like Jesus, serve like Jesus, show compassion like Jesus or love like Jesus? Today I would like to examine what it truly means to love like Jesus. Love is one of those things we hear a lot in church; but we may know little about. Especially when it comes to biblical love. We hear about God’s love. Jesus loves you. But what does it mean to love like Jesus?
John 13:31-35
In John 13 we see Jesus washing his disciples’ feet before their last meal before his crucifixion. Jesus had told them that one of them would betray him; Jesus knew the time of his death was fast approaching. Then Jesus gave them a new commandment. The disciples were familiar with loving God and loving others, but this is more personal. Jesus commanded them to love each other, to love one another.
(v.34) “A new commandment I give you that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” ESV

Followers of Jesus are to love one another; Jesus specifies the kind of love his followers must have for each other. Just as I have loved you.
For you to love like Jesus, you must learn how Jesus loved his followers. This is Jesus’ expectation for his followers.
The disciples had spent three years with Jesus; Jesus taught love and modeled it for his followers. Everything Jesus did for them sprang from love.
Loving like Jesus is serving without agenda. Jesus just washed his feet; he served his followers out of love for them. Without expecting anything in return.
Jesus had said the “The Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mk.10:45
Matt.23:11“The greatest among you must be your servant.” An attitude of servanthood places you on the list of great in the kingdom of Jesus.

Loving like Jesus is caring and watching over those you love.
Jesus cared for his followers as a hen cares for her chicks. Luke 13:34
Like a shepherd watches over his flock (Jesus called himself the Good shepherd. John 10). He protects, provides and guides his sheep.
Like a father cares for his children. “My children” John 13:33 Jesus was given his children his final instructions before he was taken from them.

Loving like Jesus is disciplining those you love.
Jesus disciplined his disciples when they needed it. God disciplines those he loves and chastises ever son whom he receives. Heb.12:6
Jesus rebuked them when they lacked faith. “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with? how long am I to bear with you?” Mk.9:19
Mk.16:14 Jesus rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart.

Loving like Jesus is costly or sacrificial. Jesus told his followers to love each other as he has loved them. Jesus was about to display the greatest act of love for his followers whom he called “friends” John 15:12-14 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.
God himself demonstrated his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Rom.5:8
Loving like Jesus means to be willing to sacrifice yourself for the one you claim to love. Jesus took our place on the cross; he took the punishment that was ours. This is truly the greatest expression of love displayed. He commanded his followers to love each other the same way he has loved them. He loved them through service, by taking care of them and watching over them and providing for them. He loved them by correcting them and disciplining them when they did something wrong. He ultimately loved them by dying for them.

Now it’s up to us to follow our Lord’s example. A new command I give you; love one another just I have loved you, so you must love one another. It will be by this that people will know that we are truly his disciples when we love each other the way Jesus has loved us.
Loving like Jesus is our greatest testimony in our world. This is what will show the world that truly are Jesus’ followers.