The Mandate of Maundy Thursday
John 13:34-35 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Do you know how to show that you are a disciple of Jesus? Jesus tells us that we must love one another as he loved us. Then people will know that we are disciples of his. That’s easier said then done, right? It's true that it is difficult to love everybody, even your enemies. That is because of sin. Sin tells us that we should not love our enemies. But Jesus tells us that we should love all people.
So, how do we love all people when sin won’t let us? We ask Jesus for help. Jesus has promised to help us if we ask. We ask him to give us the strength to love our enemies even when we don’t want to. The next time that bully comes up to you in school just ask God for help. Show that bully love and you may be surprised at the result.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Because of sin we are enemies of God; but because of Jesus, we are not any longer! How does this knowledge cause us to turn to Jesus for help?
PRAYER SUGGESTION: Dear Jesus, help me to love all people, including my enemies. Help me to reject the sin of not wanting to show love to those who are not my friends. Amen.