Could you imagine what it was like to be one of the disciples who got to spend time with Jesus?
Imagine what Peter, Andrew, James, John, Phillip and the other disciples must have thought when they watched Jesus heal the sick and cast out devils.
It would have been amazing!
They got to sit down and talk to Jesus while He answered their questions and told them all sorts of different things.
One day, Jesus was talking to His disciples during supper. He was very sad, because He knew what was about to happen to Him. He told them that He was going to be betrayed, and that soon He wouldn't be with them anymore.
The disciples were sad and confused, but Jesus wasn't finished speaking yet. He told them that He had a new commandment for them to obey:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Jesus was telling them a brand new commandment, just like the ones that God gave to Moses! Do you remember the Ten Commandments? Jesus gave them a new one! It was to love one another.
Soon the disciples would be tested, and they would have to put this new commandment into action.
You get tested too! It's easy to love someone when they are nice to you, so that's not a very hard test. The hard test comes when someone isn't nice to you. Can you still love them? If you can, then you are doing what Jesus said! Keep it up!
After Jesus died, Christianity started to grow and many people weren't happy about it. The followers of Jesus were in danger. People wanted them locked up in prison, or even killed!
It was getting worse and worse, until even the great disciple, Peter, was put into prison. Peter's friends loved him very much, but what could they do for him? He was locked up with guards all around him, and they were stuck hiding in John Mark's house. They couldn't try a daring rescue; they would be killed for sure. They couldn't get the judge to let him go, the king was against Peter and was going to kill him no matter what!
What would you do if someone you loved was in a lot of trouble? Peter's friends did the best thing they could have, they prayed. Then they prayed some more. Then they prayed even more! The Bible said, "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
Finally, something wonderful happened. God sent the Angel of the Lord to come and break Peter out of prison! The Angel just walked in there, got Peter, and walked right out with him! What seemed impossible to Peter's friends was easy for God!
When Peter's friends finally saw him they could hardly believe their eyes! God had answered their prayers and released their friend!
Their love for Peter and prayers to God made all the difference for their good friend.
Love is very, very powerful; it is way more powerful than hate. So always remember, if you really want someone or something to change, love is the ultimate weapon to use!