DAILY TEXT, From today Thursday, February 1, 2024, Love one another just as I have loved you (John 15:12).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Thursday February 1, 2024

Love one another just as I have loved you (John 15:12).

What kind of love is today's text referring to? Jesus explained that it is a love that makes a Christian willing to die for his sister. God's Word teaches that love is very important. Many say that verses like the following are his favorites: “God is love” (1 John 4:8); “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matt. 22:39); “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8), and “Love never fails” (1 Cor. 13:8). These verses and many others highlight how important it is to cultivate and demonstrate this beautiful quality. True love comes from Jehovah. Only those who have his spirit and his blessing can truly love each other (1 John 4:7). No wonder Jesus said that sincere love would distinguish true disciples of him. Just as he predicted, many people have been able to identify true Christians by the love they show one another. w23.03 27, 28 paras. 5-8.

HOW DID JESUS ​​SHOW THAT HE LOVED HIS APOSTLES?

What did James and John demonstrate on one occasion?

Jesus did not expect perfection from his followers. Rather, he lovingly helped them correct their defects so that they could have Jehovah's approval. The apostles James and John once had their mother ask Jesus to give them important positions in the Kingdom (Matt. 20:20, 21). The two apostles showed that they were being proud and ambitious (Prov. 16:18).

Why do we know that James and John were not the only ones who had a bad attitude?

Santiago and Juan were not the only ones who had a bad attitude on that occasion. Let's look at how the other apostles reacted: “When the other 10 heard about this, they were angry with the two brothers” (Matt. 20:24). We can imagine how tense things got. Perhaps the other apostles said to James and John: “Who do you think you are to ask for important positions in the Kingdom? You are not the only ones who have worked hard with Jesus. We deserve those positions as much as you do.” In any case, on that occasion the apostles stopped treating each other with affection.

How did Jesus treat the apostles despite their imperfections? (Matthew 20:25-28).

How did Jesus react? He was not outraged. He did not say that he would replace them with men who were more humble, who always treated each other with love, and who were better apostles. Rather, he reasoned patiently with them because he knew they had a good heart (read Matthew 20:25-28). Although it was not the first or last time the apostles argued over who was the most important, Jesus always treated them with love (Mark 9:34; Luke 22:24).

What was the environment like in which the apostles of Jesus were raised?

Jesus undoubtedly took into account the environment in which the apostles were raised (John 2:24, 25). At that time, religious leaders placed a premium on social status and positions of authority (Matt. 23:6; compare the video Front Seats in the Synagogue from the Matthew 23:6 study note). In fact, the Jewish religious leaders believed themselves to be superior to others (Luke 18:9-12).f Jesus knew that this environment could influence how the apostles viewed themselves and others (Prov. 19:11). He did not expect perfection from them nor did he get upset when they made mistakes. Because he knew they had good hearts, he patiently helped them replace pride and ambition with humility and love.

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