It was at the private Passover meal behind closed doors that Jesus briefed His trainee apostles (John 13:1-2).  They would be the leaders of His new church, and they needed to know how to do it.  But Jesus was not only concerned about what they did and taught (Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 28:18-20); what mattered most was their hearts, their character, and the way they related with one another.  Obviously, as it was Jesus’ church, they must relate together in the same way that He had treated them.  

Love was the key component of Christ’s character and was expressed in everything He did (John 11:36).  So, Jesus commanded the eleven men - Judas had now left the team so that he could betray Jesus (John 13:21-27) - to love each other.  This command was reiterated twice more during the meal (John 15:12; John 15:17).  A three-fold statement was of great significance to the Hebrew mind.  It meant that what Jesus said was of the highest importance.  John was so impressed that in his 1st Letter he says it five times (1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:12)!

If the disciples could love each other in the remarkable way Jesus loved them, their lifestyle would be the greatest advertisement that they were true followers of Jesus.  If they could not love each other, how could they represent the Saviour of the world?  True love is not a sentimental response to something lovely; it is the deliberate, thought-through choice to give sacrificially.  It is a decision based on truth with the intentional desire to build up other people by gladly giving whatever will achieve that objective, whatever the personal cost (1 John 4:10).  That was what Jesus did on the cross – giving up His life so that we could live with Him forever.  That is love (John 15:13).
 
Love is not an option for the Christian: Jesus commanded us to love each other.  Those who believe in Jesus become children of God, and therefore are spiritual siblings.  They are in the same family.  Whatever irritations exist, love is patient and kind.  Where insults are given, love does not retaliate or answer back.  Where bad things happen, love is looking for what is good.  The love of Jesus in the hearts of believers defers criticism and seeks understanding, forgives those who confess their sins, corrects those who go astray and encourages those who are unconfident.  Love is intensely practical, providing what others need out of our own, but God-given, resources.  True love is selfless giving at the right time from a heart which is satisfied by the love of Jesus.  That is the theory: today is the right time to put it into practice … at home and at work, and especially in the church.