"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

How can you tell who follows Jesus? How can Christians be found? Jesus said that their love for each other should be the same as His love for the disciples. In the immediate context, this means that He is willing to give extravagantly and selflessly by dying for them on the cross, and He is also willing to love selflessly and practically by washing their feet. His ministry shows that He will do just about anything between being extravagant and being sensible. Imagine if we all read the Gospels and made a promise to love each other like Jesus loved His disciples.

Wow, that's a big request, isn't it? Jesus just finished washing the disciples' feet. In the next few hours, Judas will betray Him with a kiss, Peter will deny Him three times, and the other ten disciples will leave Him to die alone. Even though He knew they would do this, He still washed their feet. Even though He knows they will leave Him there, He still goes to the cross for them. I don't know if I can love that way... yet. But with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will try again to love people who have hurt and disappointed me. I will also try to make things right with people I have hurt or let down.

How do you recognize Jesus' followers? How do you locate Christians? Jesus stated they love each other exactly as He loved the disciples. In the immediate context, this implies He is prepared to offer sacrificially and extravagantly by dying for them on the cross, and He is also willing to love selflessly and practically by washing their feet. His ministry demonstrates He will do practically anything in between lavish and sensible. Imagine if we all studied the Gospels and resolved to love each other in the same way Jesus showed His love to His followers!