Christians are to be known by love

In this passage we feel Jesus’ pain in knowing who would betray him. It is one thing to know that your enemies are against you but what about when a friend is against you? Even more in this case, Jesus’ foreknowledge of who it is would have increased his pain whilst at the same time showing that He is God.

All this presents a new test for the disciples. When Judas is exposed could they still love him even as Jesus continues to do so? The cross is the means by which this love is shown. It is also the means by which both the Father and the Son, in his obedience, are glorified. Jesus commands his disciples to love one another as he has loved them and says that by this all men will know that they are his disciples.

Love is the hardest commandment to keep. It seeks reconciliation and restoration in relationships because this is what the cross is all about. Peter misses understanding what Jesus says because he is focused on himself. Jesus reveals the pain he will feel in Peter’s threefold denial of him which is to come later … but Jesus will never fail Peter. Jesus will never fail us either when we trust in him and not ourselves. His resurrection guarantees it.