His Prison Ministry

Discipleship 101 by Pastor David Knight

In John 13:45,35, Jesus said: "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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV)

Do you love others around you as Jesus did?
How do you know? Do you have to lay down your life for each of them, for it to count? That would be hard to do for all 12 even if you wanted to in most cases.
How about just washing their feet? Have you ever washed another person's feet? Besides your children?

Let's be more practical - if you love someone, it stands to reason you have some type of relationship with them. Friend, family, romance... Something. This logically implies that they know you too, or at least we hope so. So you probably know some things about each other: common interests, likes, dislikes, etc., on some level. But to be more than a casual acquaintance, or "just a friend", to become close friends or best friends requires more investment and more involvement. The same us true for a romance, but let's keep those separate for this discussion.
How do you know if you are loving others as Jesus loved his Disciples?

Do you have 12 companions that are with you often? Who see your daily struggles, and you see theirs? 12 people whom you speak! openly to about anything, especially matters of the heart, not just the political or social banter exchanged by "acquaintances", but matters of personal interest and impact.
Do you know their birthday? The name of their significant other, parents,children or pets?

Are you a tourist in the lives of those around you? Are they more than just a display in the museum of your life? And do they know the real you at all?

"just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

My challenge to you is this:
Pick 12 people you know, or even some that you have planned on getting to know. Invest yourself in them without disclosing why, (at least at first). Just be more available, more interested more willing to love others as Christ loved his Disciples.
Chances are they all won't respond in kind, not for everyone who accepts this challenge, but undoubtedly some will, and your life and theirs will be richer for it!

After a time you can tell them what you fid and inspire them to do the same!

THAT, my friends was how Christ hoped the Church would grow. People loving one another sacrificially and passing that on to the whole world!

Are you loving others as He loved you?