Jesus is preparing his disciples for his immanent death and betrayal in this section of John. He will foretell Peter’s denial, confirm that he is the way to God his Father, give the promise of the Holy Spirit, identify himself as the true vine, attest to the world’s hatred of him and by extension all his disciples, affirm the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, and give his great gift of peace, all before a final prayer for the disciples in chapter 17. That’s a lot!
He begins his discourse by giving those gathered the new commandment which underlies all other teachings, namely, that they were to love one another just as Jesus loved them, the extent of which they would soon see. They were also to serve each other as Jesus had served them, serve others as Jesus had served others even to the point of death, as Jesus would soon demonstrate on the cross.
This kind of love is greater than any love that the disciples have ever known, and we have ever seen.
Lord, grant us the strength and grace to work at loving others on a daily basis as Jesus loved us. Amen. —