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31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13: 31-35 NIV)
Happy Monday, dear Friend! May this day be a continuation of the worship of God you partook in yesterday! Let us praise God for answered prayers; our son-in-law Eric Cortez is home and looking well. And I am thankful that sniffles today do not necessarily mean a flow of blood will come upon me!
The other day on the page of my first college's Facebook, I asked a simple question: What three things did you learn while attending Lon Morris College? I meant it as a light, fun question because the three things I learned were 1) I learned that grits could be a part (now necessary part) of breakfast. I didn't know what grits were but being a college in East Texas, it was a required course. 2) I learned that donuts could be dunked in coffee. I was a coffee drinker of the mostly sugar and cream kind (Would you like a little coffee with your milk and sugar? type) and donuts were rare in my home, but at the cafeteria you could arrive early and help yourself to both coffee and donuts. (Welcome freshman-fifteen! more like 50). 3) Apply yourself and you can make it. What I should have said was that I met some incredibly loving, giving, compassionate people. People who lived the Christian faith and loved all people. My having heard about the racial biases of East Texas I went half-expecting to see more than my share of racist people and they were there, but only two went out of their way to show it to me; the rest were incredible individuals. People who cared, who listened, and who went out of the way to help one when one was in trouble or confused. My faith in humanity was charged for the positive again and again. I could see Jesus in each of the kind souls that were my classmates.
Jesus had just washed His disciples’ feet, and announced Judas' betrayal and then speaks of His glorification that is coming, but not without love. This is where Jesus also gives His new commandment from which we get the Maundy in Maundy Thursday: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." BOOM! And, to further explode this new commandment, He adds, "By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you love one another." Wow. I stop and think of the many wonderful, loving people I have met in my life. If you are one of them, and you know who you are, thank you! If you're not, get busy in loving others! I think, sadly, of the saddest, unreal, almost inhumane words and "discussions" that we have had in the church. If you are one of those, get busy walking away from that!
This is not a gentle suggestion or a seasonal virtue. It is the defining mark of the people of Jesus. In a world where identity is often found in division, appearance, or opinion, Jesus calls His followers to be known by something scandalously selfless: love.
Not the shallow love of polite gestures, but the gritty, daily love that kneels to wash feet, that speaks truth with grace, that sacrifices time and ego for the sake of another. This love forgives even before apologies are made. This love breaks through fear and shame with hope and hospitality. This is more than a mission—it is a mirror. Do our lives reflect Jesus? If someone followed us for a day, would they see Him in the way we love?
PRAYER: Jesus, You loved us even as You faced betrayal, pain, and death. Teach us to love with that same courage and compassion. When we’re tempted to close our hearts or guard our time, remind us of Your open arms. May our love—costly and kind—point the world to You. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Let love be your witness. Let your words, actions, and presence quietly preach Christ.
I love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
