“This is My commandment, that you love one another,…” (12) Jesus issues this command three times in chapter 13. This command begins and concludes this section. He clarifies the meaning of love by His own example of laying down His life for them. He then calls them friends with the condition that they obey His commands. Friends are distinguished from slaves because slaves are not told what their master is doing. This does not elevate us to equality with God, but gives us a place of honor when we honor His word. We are also distinguished by His choice [of us] and by His purpose [for us] of bearing fruit that remains. We are loved, informed, and called to bear the fruit of answered prayers: “…,so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give you.” (16c). Asking for something in Jesus name is not a formula! It is asking on the basis of Who Jesus is, what He has done, and What He says. He then repeats the essential command and condition: “This I command you, that you love one another.” (17). Only then do we benefit from being His friends.