Love's command from Jesus - John 13-17

How does Jesus set love as the standard for his followers?

John 13

We need to abandon lesser loves to gain the greater love that Christ gives. What matters the most to God? The love of God. This is what it means to follow Jesus. We are called to continual intimacy with God. Love is other-focused, not self conscious.

How does John 13 show how love looks? Jesus washes His disciples feet. When He does this, He is saying that there is nothing love will not do. Regardless of how disgusting and menial it is. But notice that Jesus says that Peter must LET Jesus wash his feet. There must be willingness. We must let Jesus cleanse the dirty parts of our lives.

After Judas leaves, Jesus issues a new command. People will tell you that this is not new. During those days, it was the golden rule, do unto others as how you want them to do unto you. The new command was for the Holy Spirit to come in and have us love with God's love instead of our own love. Love others as I (Jesus) have loved you. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Why MUST? We only know how to love because of Christ. Everything Jesus did was love. Everything He said was love. Everything He did not do was love. But we can't. Our love is self-focused and prideful. So we need to repent. The world will recognize us by how we love one another. But there are no exceptions. We are to love others in the body without exception. We are to expend time, money, & resources to love one another. Not only that, but to do so with joy. Anything that is not done in love, even when it is costly, is probably ineffectual and unwise in light of Christ.
Jesus was a rabbi. Being a rabbi meant people were going to follow. And not just physically follow, but also imitate in speech and action. So for us to be Jesus' disciples mean we should follow Jesus in all He does and says. Jesus calls us to be slaves of all and servants of all.
Love is the first-fruit among the fruits of the Spirit. It is the root of everything else. When we are called to love our enemies, we are told to pray for them. But proper prayer comes from love. So we need love first to pray and then to act in love for our enemies. Forgiveness comes from love. We are wishing good for them now, regardless of what they have done.
John 17 - I have made you known to them... (I have taught them good theology.)
What is the point of good theology? It is so that we can be filled with the love of God. When we learn more and know God more, God's love will be more and more within us.