Jesus instructed His disciples to love one another: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” What did He mean? Jesus wants His followers to care for each other on the deepest levels. Our love for one another flows out of our love for God, which is a result of God's love for us. Jesus wants His followers to be bound not primarily by service, command, family, nationality, pledge, race, interest, or anything else, but by love.
When the Holy Spirit appeared at Pentecost, people were gathered from all over the world – people from other nations with varied interests and backgrounds, yet once they were bound in Christ, they began serving each other, pooling their resources, and giving to those in need. This was love in action.
Jesus gave us a model of how to love one another. He loves unconditionally, sacrificially, with an ability to forgive, and forever). He, and His love, is holy. We are to love like that. We are to love each other, our neighbors, and even our enemies. Loving one another the way Christ loved us is only possible with the supernatural power of God. Jesus gives us the command to love one another, then gives us the power to do just that. I pray that we will be his disciples who love one another.