Tag: New Command
Love one another!
Scripture reading for April 22nd: John 13
Key scriptures for over-comers: John 13:34-35 “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.”
Jesus had washed the feet of His disciples, demonstrating His love and servant’s heart for them. He also predicted that one of those He washed would betray Him and that Peter would deny Him three times! In the midst of this last meal, Jesus gave His disciples a new command: “Love one another!” This command was to be a sign to all men that His followers belonged to Jesus! Love does what is best for another. Love forgives. Love covers sins. Love never fails! The Father’s gift of the Holy Spirit would release a river of God’s love to flow from them! (Romans 5:5)
Observations for over-comers: Loving one another remains the greatest command of Jesus for those who will over-come the world, flesh, and the devil! A river of His love flows in our hearts by the Holy Spirit! “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:12)
The New Command!
Scripture reading for May 24th: John 13:31-14:14
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” “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.” (John 13:33-35)
Jesus knew that after Judas left to betray Him, the final hours had come. He reaffirmed to these faithful men that He was going away and that where He was going, they could not come now. He would be going to the cross, and willingly laying down His life. They had other things to do before they would also give their lives for the Gospel!
Jesus was emphatic about a new commandment that He was giving to them. The act of keeping this commandment would particularly mark them as Jesus’ disciples. It was not an optional requirement, but something that they must do as His disciples. This command was all about showing love for one another. Love is the fulfillment of God’s laws. Jesus was setting an example for them in showing love by laying His life down for them as well as for the sins of the whole world. He commanded them to learn to give this kind of self-sacrificing love to each other.
When we love someone with God’s love, we desire the very best for them. We consider them better than ourselves and act for their highest good. We speak truth to them and would never steal from them or lie to them. We would never stay angry with them without resolving the differences. We would never covet their property, power, or position, but would rejoice with them in the good things God had done for them. We would seek to bless them and encourage them to be all that God wants them to be and help them with needs. We would not compete with them, but would seek to help them be the best.
This kind of love marked Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It is the Father’s heart that His children have this love for each other. Do all men know that you are Jesus’ disciple because of your extravagant love?