John 13:31-35 (NRSV)
Read John 13:31-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 31When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. Verse 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Verse 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' Verse 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. Verse 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Devotion
Jesus calls his disciples to share agape (unconditional) love with one another. Agape love comes from God. The greatest example of this love is Christ's ultimate sacrifice of himself on the cross for all people. We see agape love in communities when people's actions are altruistic, compassionate, and supportive and work for the good of everyone. Agape love is the glue that holds together the inclusive community where God dwells with us.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke frequently about his vision of the beloved community and its embodiment of inclusive agape love. Ideally, justice and human rights prevail as the beloved community fully respects and welcomes all people regardless of their differences, races, or cultures. The community shares its resources equitably to meet all people's needs as it cares for and sustains creation. In the beloved community, "they will know we are Christians by our love" (Scholtes, 1966).
Prayer
Beloved God, thank you for Jesus' loving sacrifice given for all people. Guide our actions in your beloved community so that the world will know by our love that we are your disciples. Amen.