What Did Jesus Mean?
One of the most profound and beautiful commands Jesus gave us is found in 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 everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It’s a simple sentence, but it carries an immense weight. Jesus isn’t asking us to love each other the way we naturally would—with conditions, limits, or expectations of something in return. He’s calling us to love the way He loves us: selflessly, sacrificially, and unconditionally.
But what does that look like in real life? How do we love others as Jesus loved us, especially when relationships get messy, people are hard to love, or life feels overwhelming?
Let’s break it down.
What Does It Mean to Love as Jesus Loved?
When Jesus told us to love one another as He loved us, He gave us the ultimate example of love in action. Here are some ways His love stands out:
- Sacrificial Love
Jesus laid down His life for us. His love wasn’t just about kind words or nice gestures; it was about giving everything—even His own life—for our sake, and it was a bloody, excruciating and humiliating death. Jesus said: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
While we may not be called to literally die for others, we are called to put others’ needs before our own, to give of ourselves in ways that might cost us time, energy, or comfort. - Forgiving Love
Jesus forgave even those who nailed Him to the cross. His love didn’t hold grudges or keep a record of wrongs.
Think about that for a second. How often do we struggle to forgive someone for something much smaller? Loving as Jesus loves means releasing bitterness and offering grace—even when it’s hard. - Serving Love
Before telling His disciples to love one another, Jesus washed their feet—a task usually reserved for the lowliest servants in His day. This was His way of showing that love isn’t about power or recognition; it’s about humility and service.
Who in your life could use a helping hand or a simple act of kindness today? Loving like Jesus means rolling up our sleeves and serving others, no matter their status or how inconvenient it may feel. - Inclusive Love
Jesus loved everyone—tax collectors, sinners, lepers, and outcasts. He didn’t reserve His love for the “good” or the “worthy.” His arms were open to all.
Loving as Jesus loves means stepping outside our comfort zones to show compassion to those who are overlooked, marginalized, or even difficult to be around.
Whatever You Do to Your Brothers, You Do to Him
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
This verse reminds us that how we treat others is how we treat Jesus Himself. It’s a serious and humbling thought.
When we feed the hungry, care for the sick, or simply lend a listening ear, we’re doing these things for Jesus. But the opposite is also true—when we ignore, dismiss, or mistreat others, we’re dishonoring Him.
Why This Command Is Serious
Jesus didn’t say, “Love one another if you feel like it” or “Love one another when it’s convenient.” He said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is not a suggestion; it’s a command.
And the stakes are high. Jesus said that this kind of love is how people will recognize us as His disciples. It’s not by how much Scripture we can quote, how often we attend church, or how “good” we appear to be. It’s by our love.
When we fail to love others, we’re not just failing them—we’re failing to represent Christ to the world. But when we love as Jesus loves, we become living, breathing examples of His grace and goodness.
How to Love Others as Jesus Loves Us
Loving others as Jesus loves us can feel like a daunting task, especially when people hurt us or when life gets busy. But God doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. His Spirit equips us with the strength and patience we need to love well.
Here are some practical ways to live out this command:
- Pray for a Heart of Love
Ask God to help you see others through His eyes. Pray for the people who are hard to love, and watch how He softens your heart. - Look for Opportunities to Serve
Small acts of kindness—like making a meal for a friend, helping a neighbor, or encouraging someone who’s struggling—go a long way in showing Christ’s love. - Be Quick to Forgive
Let go of grudges and extend grace, remembering how much grace God has shown you. - Choose Love Over Convenience
Loving like Jesus often means stepping out of your comfort zone. Be willing to sacrifice your time, energy, or resources for others. - Stay Grounded in Scripture
The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more we understand His love—and the better equipped we are to share it.
A Challenge for Today
Take a moment to reflect on Jesus’ love for you. How can you pass that love on to someone else today? Maybe it’s through a kind word, an act of service, or simply listening without judgment.
Loving others as Jesus loves us isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. It’s how we reflect His heart to a world that desperately needs Him. And it’s how we grow closer to Him, one step of love at a time.
Let’s make it our mission to love one another—not just in words, but in action. Because when we do, we show the world what it truly means to be followers of Christ.
