Updated Command

John 13:34 

“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.”

In this time of the pandemic, people are always anticipating about what’s the latest news. Especially, we want to hear what is the update regarding the lockdown. Does the President upgrade the quarantine from the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) from the general community quarantine (GCQ)? We want to know. Right?

In the passage, Jesus updates an old command about loving one another. This command is part of the final instructions given to His disciples after the Last Supper. We all know that loving one another is not a new command. It is found even in the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:18 which says “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Then why Jesus said it is a new command? The “updated” version of the command is found in the second half of the verse—“as I have loved you.” Jesus now sets the pattern by which we are to love.

First

Not only we have to love our neighbor as ourselves but we are also to love our neighbor as Christ loved us. Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His life for us.

Second

We don’t have to depend on our ability to love others. We have to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to love others like Jesus does. This is how the world knows we are Christian.

One Minute Reflection

In what ways you love others as Christ loved you today?

“Learning how to love your neighbor requires a willingness to draw on the strength of Jesus Christ as you die to self and live for Him. Living in this manner allows you to practice biblical love for others in spite of adverse circumstances or your feelings to the contrary.” - John C. Broger