The New Commandment

Jeremiah 7-9; John 13 

“’A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34, 35

What’s “new” about loving one another?

Jesus tells us it’s a command not a suggestion. He also qualifies this love by saying, “as I have loved you”. Jesus’ sacrificial love had just been illustrated as he washed the feet of his disciples. He wept over Lazarus’ death and then raised him from the dead. Jesus was about to die for the sin of the world, because of love.

What is new about this kind of love and this kind of command is the call to love one another; it became the ‘new apologetic’ for the Church. We are known first by our love for one another, not just defensible theology. The world is moved by how we live and not by what we know. We might know this new command, but are we living it? Today gives a new opportunity to be filled with Christ’s love and Spirit and to share that love.

“Lord Jesus, live and love through me, for your glory.”