Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026 — John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.
THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIANS BY OUR LOVE
This verse immediately reminds me of Vacation Bible School from my youth. The song was a favorite among the staff, and we sang it joyfully, accompanied by a guitar. I can still picture the guitarist playing with zest and finishing with a flourish that made the whole room smile. Those moments were filled with warmth and community, an early glimpse of what loving one another looks like in practice.
The context of this verse matters. Just before this, Jesus gives a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” He sets the standard by his own example of sacrificial, unconditional love. By following this commandment, Jesus says it will be obvious to all that we are his disciples. Love becomes the defining mark of a Christian, more than words, rituals or appearances.
But what does this look like in everyday life? For me, it brings to mind an incident one summer at Kansas State University. One of my classmates was a soldier from nearby Fort Riley, and we often socialized outside of class. One day, as we stopped for gas, I overheard him greet a man walking by. He addressed him by rank and name as though they were old friends. Curious, I asked how he knew the man. His answer surprised me: He didn’t. He simply recognized the insignia on the man’s uniform and responded with respect and familiarity.
That moment taught me something profound. In the military, identity and belonging are signaled by rank and insignia. Soldiers recognize one another instantly, and that recognition shapes how they interact — with honor, camaraderie and mutual respect. Shouldn’t it be the same for us as followers of Christ? Our insignia is love. When people encounter us, they should immediately sense something different: kindness in our words, grace in our actions, and compassion in our hearts. Love should be so evident that it identifies us as disciples without question.
Today, let’s ask ourselves: Is love my defining mark? Do others see Christ in the way I treat them? May we strive to live out this command so fully that, like soldiers recognizing insignia, the world will recognize us — not by what we say, but by how we love.
Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us with a perfect and sacrificial love. Help us follow your command to love one another as you have loved us. Teach us to show kindness, grace and forgiveness in every interaction. May our lives reflect your love so clearly that others see you in us. Amen
Laurel Davis
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