A New Command

After Judas left Jesus and the disciples, Jesus begins to reveal what was to come in greater detail (read John 13:31-38). He begins to describe what we might call "the end." We know, and so did He, that is was just the beginning. He would be glorified through the cross.

In fact, God would be glorified in Him. The cross magnifies the attributes of God that we love so much. It magnifies His love, His holiness, His justice, etc. Jesus knew this and "for the joy set before him endured the cross, scourning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb 12:2).

After telling His 'dear children' (v33) that He will be leaving them, Jesus then explains that, while His work is coming to an end, their (and our) work is just beginning. He says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (vv34-35).

Before we consider why this command is new, take a moment to think about how men know you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to a life of love - a different, new kind of love. He never says "wear a cross around your neck and Christian t-shirts" or "put a fish sticker on your car." He says that we are to be distinguished by this 'new' kind of love.

But why is this a 'new command?' After all, hadn't God already said that we are to love others? Leviticus 19:18 says that you are to 'love your neighbor as yourself." So how is Jesus saying anything new? Let me suggest three things about this new command:

First, we are to follow the Example of Christ. Jesus says in verse 34 for that we are to love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Moses writes we are to love 'as ourselves' - Jesus says, "as I have love you." And how did Jesus love us? By laying down His life for us. By dying in our place. In a word, Jesus calls us to love 'sacrificially.' To help live out this kind of love ask yourself whether you are acting 'sacrificially' or 'selfishly.'

Secondly, we are to love our Enemies. This is certainly a 'new' way to love. In fact, Jesus said as much in Matthew 5:43-45a when He said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Sound familiar? Sound difficult? It does to me. Remember, though, that this is how Jesus loved us. Paul reminds us that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8). Also remember that we are not called to love like this from our own strength. We don't have this kind of love within us - unless we have the Holy Spirit in us.

Which brings us to our final thought; we are to be Empower by Christ. Before the departure of Christ and the sending of Holy Spirit, we did not have it within us to live this kind of love. This love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22) that finds its motivation and strength as we yield our life to the Spirit's leading.

Recently, I found myself asking God to give me the grace I needed to love someone who had upset me. I simply asked, "Lord, I need your help here because I really don't want to love right now." God is faithful, grace was given, and I believe I was able to honor God rather than defend myself.

By loving like this, may all men know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and may God be glorified in us as He was in His Son.