John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”
37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.
How are Christians to live out love in the world?
“Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus loved you enough to go to his death to purchase your freedom so that you have no need to fear your death. He laid down his life so that you could be guaranteed true life both here on earth and into eternity.
Love shows the true meaning of foot-washing.
Love shows the true meaning of taking up your cross.
Peter thought that he was ready to lay down his life for Jesus. And like Peter, despite our good intentions, overwhelmed by peer pressure and twisted with self- preservation, by our actions, we continue to deny our Savior. We must learn to love one another as Christ loves us because, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Many Christians frequently wonder how they can be good witnesses for Christ. Jesus gives us the very first lesson here. We are to demonstrate to the world the love of Jesus by loving one another well. Not halfheartedly. Not holding grudges. Not hiding anger, but loving like Jesus loved. Ephesians 4:31 Loving enough to treat even betrayers like Judas with respect. Loving enough to die for others.
John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
How did Christ comfort his disciples?
First, in taking the opportunity to speak directly about heaven, notice that Christ began by urging the disciples to trust in him. Whatever the future of heaven held they were to not [be] troubled. Christ looks after and takes care of those who trust in him.
Second, after offering them assurance to calm their troubled hearts, Christ explains that heaven is God the Father’s house. Heaven is where God is. In heaven we will be with our loving, gracious Father.
Third, heaven is also our Savior’s house. Christ came from heaven to earth. Christ left eternity and entered into time to save us. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
After completing his divine mission, Christ would ascend into heaven to prepare a place for [us]. God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Fourth, heaven is also spacious and grand. There is room for all of God’s children in many mansions. We have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Thinking back to the beauty and divine goodness of the original creation as described in John 1 and Genesis 1-2, we can begin to imagine the glory of the mansions and gardens in heaven that Christ has prepared for us.
John 14:5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
In answer to Thomas’ question, Jesus said, (Continued in next chapter)