Love that Glorifies God

John 13:31-35

I’m such a Greek definition junkie, it’s frightening. Who defines these words anyway? And more important, why do the various translations choose different words? The only way anyone can insert the ‘right’ English word in place of the Greek is based on their personal theology of the nature of God.

Anyway, the two words in this text that grabbed me by the throat and told me to look them up were “love” and “glorify.” I’ve researched "love" before. Yet my mind understood something a little different this time. Agape is the kind of love that is founded in esteem, admiration, veneration. Some other words are: to acquiesce/agree/consent/submit with satisfaction, and to cherish with reverence. There is a sense of inner feeling present. This is the kind of love we need to give God with all our heart and soul and mind. Because we esteem them, we choose to act toward the wellbeing of the person we love.

Phileo (brotherly love) is that kind of love that involves some emotion and affection. You like them. This is closer to friendship, and can overlap with agape when that feeling involves deeper bonds of family relationships.


Jesus’ command is that we agape each other. We are commanded to esteem, admire, venerate, acquiesce, agree, consent, submit with satisfaction, cherish with reverence – one another. And the same is true with our neighbor, and our enemies. How do we do that? Since it's a command, we have to work at it.

Jesus gave us the ultimate example when he demonstrated esteem for the disciple planning to betray him in the story immediately before this one. Jesus consented to Judas for the person he was. He did not treat Judas any different from his ‘friends.’ Jesus submitted, as a Servant, to wash Judas’ feet. Then he ate a meal with Judas. He continues to invite all who act against him into relationship.

Jesus did not make a spectacle of Judas for what he was about to do. He did not openly bring dishonor to Judas. Judas did that to himself. Although he let Judas know he knew what was about to happen, Jesus consented to the person of Judas to the bitter end.

After Judas left the room, Jesus indicated that what he had just done has caused him to be glorified. "To glorify" means to give importance, to praise, to honor. This incredible display of love, washing the feet and welcoming the person preparing to turn him over to the authorities to his table, brings honor to Jesus.

And through Jesus, God is honored as One who serves sinners and welcomes all of us when we betray Jesus. The invitation remains open to the table of grace every week. God desires a new covenantal relationship. God is not angry. God is love.

I think we can see ourselves in every person mentioned in Scripture. I don’t often think of myself as Judas. But anytime I do not esteem, admire, or cherish with reverence my brother or sister in Christ, I betray Jesus and his new command. The world cannot see Christ in a church embroiled in internal warfare. It sees Judas. I am Judas when I advance any cause that is anti-Christ, which is whatever goes against love. Lord have mercy.


PWM