Sermon Notes Series: Departure Text: John 13:34–35 Love One Another I. Setting the Scene: A “What Do We Do Now?” Moment This series (“Departure”) covers John 13–21 – From the Last Supper to the cross and resurrection – Jesus’ public ministry is over – One final meal → one final conversation – The disciples are about to face: Fear Failure Confusion Loss – Jesus prepares them: Not only for what will happen to Him But for what He from them Key truth: The path may not be easy—but we don't need to lose heart. II. The Command “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you… By this all people will know that you are my disciples.”John 13:34–35 – Love was already commanded (Lev. 19:18) “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Lev. 19:18 – Love is universally valued across cultures So what’s new? Jesus doesn’t redefine that we love—but: we love we love III. WHO Are We to Love? People (Not Hypothetical Humanity) – Love must have an object – It’s easier to love the idea of people than real people – Real people are: Annoying Complicated Inconvenient Illustration: Dostoevsky (Ivan Karamazov) “The more I love humanity in , the less I love man in .” Jesus loved actual people – God’s love became personal and tangible – John called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” – To know you are loved by Jesus is to be compelled to love someone 2. People (Like Us) – Every person Jesus loved was unworthy – Including the disciples at the table: Arguing over greatness Missing the moment Betraying, denying, abandoning Him Key text: “Having loved his own… he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) Application: – Are we willing to love people who: Disappoint us Hurt us Fail repeatedly? Important nuance: – Love ≠ lack of – Jesus washed Judas’ feet—but let him “Love one another as I have loved you” is: in scope in intensity 3. Believers—Including Those Us – The disciples were not “natural friends” Simon the Zealot (anti-Rome) Matthew the Tax Collector (pro-Rome) – Jesus makes enemies into family Big idea: If Jesus loves them, we must love one another Eternal perspective: – We share: One Father One future – Revelation describes the Church as a radiant C.S. Lewis – The Weight of Glory – There are no people – We are helping each other toward: Everlasting glory Or everlasting ruin Implication: Loving fellow believers—especially difficult ones—is a privilege, not a burden. IV. HOW Are We to Love? 1. Visibly John 13:35 “By this all people will know…” – Love must be observable – If the world doesn’t see it, why not? Self-preoccupation? Christian isolation? Loving in culturally expected ways only? Illustration: Trailer park / frozen pipes – Sacrificial love couldn’t stay hidden – Gospel-shaped love demands to be told 2. Humbly – Humility ≠ invisibility – Jesus was: Bold Servant-hearted – Foot washing sets the pattern: Power used for service Status surrendered for others’ good Key distinction: Biblical love is not self-advancing—it is . 3. Costly – The world likes love that: Feels good Costs little – Jesus commands love that: Risks heartbreak Disrupts comfort Costs time, energy, and security John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – Love led Jesus: From the table To Gethsemane To the cross Question: Who can love like this? Answer: Only those who first follow the One who did. VI. Final Call Jesus says: “ me.” “ me.” This is how the world will know that we belong to Him. Reflection Questions Understanding the Text Why does Jesus give this command at this moment in John 13, rather than earlier in His ministry? What makes Jesus’ command to “love one another” both new and distinct from other teachings on love? How does John 13:1 (“he loved them to the end”) shape your understanding of Jesus’ love? Personal Reflection Who are the “actual people” God is calling you to love right now—not in theory, but in practice? What makes loving unworthy people difficult for you? Where do you feel resistance? In what ways have you personally experienced Jesus loving you despite your unworthiness? Community and Church Life How visible is love within your church or Christian community to those on the outside? Are there believers you find especially difficult to love because they are different from you (background, personality, politics, maturity, culture)? How might seeing fellow believers as who they are becoming change the way you relate to them now? Application Which aspect of Christlike love challenges you most right now: being visible, humble, or costly? What would it look like this week to love someone in a way that genuinely costs you something? If someone observed your life closely, would they be able to tell you belong to Jesus by how you love?