On the night before His crucifixion (at the last supper) and subsequent resurrection (“Easter” Sunday), Jesus gave those feasting with Him “the 11^th Commandment” (see John 13:34-35), which was really just a restatement of the Greatest Commandment “and the second, which is like it” (See Matthew 22:35-40 & Leviticus 19:18) to account for the establishment of the New covenant He was creating. 

He also told them that their obedience to this command to Love one another as He Loves them would be the sign by which the world would recognize them as His disciples.  

The word He used in that instruction, which we translate to the all-too-generic English word “love” was the Hebrew “Ahavah” or the Greek “Agape” – which are words for the “highest” possible form of Love – charitable, altruistic love – a form of Love in which the “lover” chooses to sacrifice or work for the spiritual well being and growth of another – it’s the Love, as He said – that God has shown for Us thru His incarnation, crucifixion for our sins, and resurrection as the first-born Sanctified and Holy Human under the New Covenant, and the kind of Love we are called to show for Him, thru our Love of one another.

So that all that begs the question: can we truly call ourselves His disciples or followers if we do not serve others in Love? 

If we simply “go to church”, study our devotionals and Bibles, and pray about our troubles and needs, being “hearers of the word” but not acting on it, in obedience (James 1:22; John 14:15), by using whatever talent’s and gifts we have to benefit others; should we even call ourselves “Christian”?

The world should know us by our “agape” (Love); and the oldest and frailest of us can, at least, Love others by praying for their needs and relationships with God, and by boldly sharing our faith, hope, and Love (Acts 4:18-31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13) with the people around us, our communities, and our world which so obviously and desperately need it.