The Legacy of Jesus is Love (John 13:34-35)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
19 April 2026
A legacy is something precious one passes on to future generations. Jesus left a legacy for his followers – to love one another. What greater legacy can there be than to love.
Love is a commandment. It is not merely an emotion but an act of the will. Jesus willed to come to a fallen world to save it.
Commandments are to be obeyed. Obedience brings blessings. Disobedience brings chastisement. This is borne out in the history of Israel.
Jesus said the love he spoke of is a new commandment. But they were already written in the Old Testament (Deut.6:5 and Lev. 19:18). How can they be new? They were new in so far as Jesus brought the commandments to their consummation (Mark 12:29-31).
How then are we to love one another? Jesus is our example. He said “love one another as I have loved you.”
He loved their souls and gave them salvation. We love one another by caring for each other’s spiritual well-being. We evangelize because we love the souls of people.
He loved his disciples by giving them the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to faith in Jesus. Unless the Holy Spirit convicts of sin there can be no deliverance from sin.
He gave purpose to his disciples. They were to proclaim the gospel throughout the world. They pursued this purpose with single-mindedness. We also are to be purposeful.
Jesus gave them direction in their lives. He would guide them into all truth. He would guide them where to proclaim the gospel. He would guide them in the establishing of true churches.
Jesus provided for them. As they ministered the word of God they were given all they needed for the work. We love each other when we look after each other’s needs.
Jesus showed love by forgiving the sins of his followers. We love one another by forgiving one another. The disciples were imperfect, yet Jesus loved them by forgiving them.
He gave peace and joy to his disciples. One of the first words he spoke after his resurrection was “Rejoice”. We show love for one another by being peaceable with each other. There is strife in the world but peace in the church.
He gave assurance to his disciples that he would go and prepare a place for them in heaven. He would come back for them that they would be with him in heaven. There is a life hereafter; there is a glorious reunion of all who believe in Jesus.
When Jesus’ disciples love one another the world would know they are followers of Jesus. This is the testimony of the church – love for one another.
Jesus is known to the world by the witness of believers. Christians, love one another. The world will know you are disciples of Jesus if you show love to one another.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the source of this love. Once we were enemies of God. Now we are children of God. Christ lives in us.
Non-believers will say they can love another without believing in Jesus. There is an earthly love common to humanity. But the love that Jesus spoke of gives all glory to God. Love without giving glory to God will tend to give glory to humans.
Jesus’ legacy is for believers to love each other just as he loved his first disciples. He is our example. Let’s love one another and so live out Jesus’ glorious legacy.