A New Commandment

Lesson #218

With this lesson we will finish this section. In our last lesson, Jesus referred to the disciples as “little children.” This expression must have meant very much to John because of his frequent use of it when he wrote the letter of 1 John. Another interesting link to 1 John is found in our next verse: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34 ESV). In 1 John we find: “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:7 – 8 ESV). John is pointing out that the “new commandment” is really not new, but an old commandment with something added to it. We need to determine what that addition is.

The old commandment being referred to is found in Leviticus 19:18: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (NKJV). Look at both carefully. In Leviticus we find, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” and here is John it is, “Love one another: just as I have loved you.” See the difference in how we are to love. In Leviticus we are to love as we love ourselves, but in John we are to love as Jesus loved us. Jesus not only loved his neighbor as himself, but he loved him more than himself, for he laid down his life for the neighbor and for everyone else. This new commandment contains the added idea of a sacrifice for the benefit of the one being loved; a sacrifice to the extent of laying down our life if needed. Never before has this kind of love been prescribed; a love so pure and disinterested in self when compared to the one being loved. Jesus has indeed set a very high standard. Not only are we to lay down our lives for each other, but we are to also love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Love is important because, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 ESV). Peter tells us to “. . . have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV) toward one another. The fruit of the Spirit is love and the characteristics of that love is “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control” (Galatians 5:22 – 23 ESV). We could also look at 1 Corinthians 13:4 – 7) for additional aspects of love, but Jesus adds the premium part and that is to be willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the one being loved, even if it requires your life. This intensity of love; this willingness to sacrifice for another is the mark that is to set apart those who are disciples of Jesus from the rest of the population. I find it difficult to give examples of this love being displayed today. We do have endless examples of this sacrificial love for the Lord Jesus by those under persecution giving their lives before they will deny him. Their stand in the face of persecution; their love of the persecutor and their forgiveness of the suffering they are receiving from them; their willingness to lay down their lives before they will deny their faith is an indication that these are disciples of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, for many today, love is all about feeling and not about sacrifice. In so many cases, if the feeling is gone then it seems to be time for a spouse trade in. If we were willing to love as Jesus loves us and sacrifice for the benefit of others we would have lasting marriages, stable families and a stronger country. When we make life about us and not about our Lord and others, that is when strife begins to take hold of our relationships. Father, forgive us for our selfishness and have mercy on us as you work in our hearts. Lord, help us get our focus off from us and our desires and onto you and your will.