Showing real love

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.— John 13:35

Chinese New Year happened to fall on the same day as Valentine’s Day in 2010. While these two festivals have very different origins, there are some similarities in how they are celebrated. In both cases, loved ones give gifts to express love for one another. Whether it is giving roses to your beloved on Valentine’s Day or hong bao (red packets with money) to family and friends on Chinese New Year, they represent tokens of love.

Our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to “love one another,” because “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

The love that our Lord wants His disciples to have for one another is different from the romantic kind displayed between friends or family. It’s an unselfish love. The Greek word John used in Jesus’ command is agape — God’s kind of love that expects nothing in return. That was what Jesus showed to His disciples when He “poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (v. 5). That is the kind of love He displayed when He went to the cross for us.

Today, look for someone to whom you can show such unselfish love. — C. P. Hia

Lord, teach us the secret of loving,

The love You are asking today;

Then help us to love one another;

For this we most earnestly pray. — Anon.

READ: John 13:1-5, 33-35

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. — Galatians 6:2

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 15-16

• Matthew 27:1-26