Jesus said something startling at the last supper, shortly before he died on the cross. As he prepares to send them out into the empire he says this:
“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.” (John 13: 34-35 NIV)
The mark of the followers of Jesus living out the reign of God was love. In the midst of the empires of this world which are marked by fear and violence and hierarchy and consumption and acquisition and dominion and vengeance, they were to be marked as Jesus' disciples by their love and their unity (John 17).
After their Passover meal is over, they walked to Gethsemane and offered no resistance when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus. Peter was told to put down his sword rather than fight.
We are to be known as a sign of the coming Kingdom by our love and unity -- the people of Jesus.
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We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit
we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored:
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love.
We will walk with each other
we will walk hand in hand
we will walk with each other
we will walk hand in hand
and together we’ll spread the news
that God is in our land:
Chorus
We will work with each other
we will work side by side
We will work with each other
We will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity
and save each one's pride:
Chorus
All Praise to the Father
from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus
His only Son,
and all praise to the Spirit
who makes us all one:
By Peter Scholte
