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Within the "love is love" culture, the doctrine of the love of God is a subjective catch-all for whoever it wants God to be. And "love one another" is the favoured verse of the general public. Within this present context therefore, it is acutely necessary to biblically define the "love of God" in order to fully understand the qualifier placed on loving one another - "as I have loved you." For certain, "love" is not necessarily love!

The last sayings of Christ are to lavish love on us...

• Jesus washes his disciples' feet - a previewing of the "full extent of his love"
  
  
• Jesus predicts his betrayal - the shameful departure of one for whom God's love is not enough
  
  
• Jesus predicts Peter's denial - the clueless confidence of one yet to really comprehend the scope of God's love
  
  
• Jesus gives a New Commandment-the brand that distinguishes a true disciple

4 insights Jesus offers to people who are commanded to love beyond the basin and the towel...

1. How I will love you (13:31-32)

When God chose to have the Son put the supreme demonstration of his glory on public display--"NOW"-he chose the cross.

2. How I will love you when I'm gone (13:33; 14:2; 17, 19)

I'm preparing you a place, and because I live, you will live, and because I live, you will live, and I'm giving you the Holy Spirit.

3. How you are to love each other (13:34,35)

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU!

Right believing, right understanding, right teaching, right attention to many righteous things, without full attention to this command, "is so much humbug." (Carson)

4. How easily you blow by this supreme command on the way to matters that press you more (13:36-38)

There is a real danger in making the meaning of the cross about salvation only and missing the reshaping of everything about us concerning how we are loved and empowered to love. 

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (Paul - 1Thessalonians 3:12)

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