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By Janice Taylor
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:34)
Jesus gives a "new" commandment. Were the Jews not taught to love their neighbor? Were they not taught to care for their brothers? There was a Mosaic command to love your neighbor.
"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." (Leviticus 19:18)
John 13:34 is not just a repeat of that command. The question here is what is "new"? If this commandment had been merely a restatement of the Mosaic principle of loving one's neighbor as himself, it would not have been new. What makes it new is the remainder of the Lords command, "as I have loved you." The old command to love thy neighbor as thyself was a command that people could understand. We know what it is to love ourselves; self-love is natural.
The new commandment, on the other hand, is based on a new principle, measured by a higher standard than love of self. To love as Christ loved was to gain a deeper sense of love. Christ loved the unlovable, those whom the world rejected as unworthy of His time, much less His love. He showed this by His interactions with the Samaritan woman, Zacchaeus and even his own apostle, Matthew, a tax collector. He treated all with dignity and respect. He saw the heart, not the outward appearance, of those with whom He came in contact. His love was self-denying and self-sacrificing.
Without the understanding of the depth of Christ's love, we cannot possibly learn to love others with such a conviction or dedication.
When we accept the love of Christ and the power of His presence in our lives, we will reach out to teach that love to others. We will strive to uplift our brothers and sisters, as well as teach our families and friends. It will be our goal to help encourage those around us to strive to pass through the gates of Heaven on that glorious day when Christ shall appear!
Questions:
1. "A new _____________ I give to you, that you _______ ____ ____________; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34
2. What was new about this command?
3. Leviticus 19:18 is a _____________ command that the children of Israel would know "____________ thy _____________ as ______________."
4. How had Jesus ministered to his apostles just before this commandment was given?
5. Thought question: How can you present yourself to God as a servant to others? Give specific examples in your church, community, and family.
6. Christ treated all with _________________ and respect.
7. How can you better prepare yourself to reach out to others?
8. How can you "uplift" your brothers and sisters in Christ?
9. Make a list of those you know who are in need of encouragement in their Christian life.
10. NOW, the most important question of all; what are you going to do about it?
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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