Not “therefore” but “thus”—

A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

–John 13:34-35

I’ve always assumed that Jesus was making an “if–then” statement in the above verse.  In other words, “Since I love you, therefore you should love one another, too.”

But what if  “As…so” means:  “In the same way I love you, thus you must love one another.”

And in WHAT way did Jesus love them?  How would He answer that?

• I loved you by humbling myself to serve you.
• I loved you meekly, not overwhelming you with displays of power to intimidate you.
• I always wanted what my Father God wanted for you.  I challenged your thinking gently but persistently.
• I met your physical needs.
• I sacrificed My life for you.
• I showed you the Father.

Lord Jesus, help me to love others the way you love, today, tomorrow and every day.