A new commandment I
give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you,
that you also love one another.
John 13:34 New American Standard
Bible (NASB)
Jesus said this was a new
commandment, to love one another. Yet was this really new? One of the great
commandments from Moses was by Jesus’ own admission to “love your neighbor as
yourself.” How is this new? It is new in the sense that it had been renewed
from the twisted version Jewish leadership had made of it by that time. It was
also new in that we are to love “as I have loved you.” That part of the command
was lacking in the original. It gives more depth and meaning, a richness,
applicability and motivation that the original lacked. How did Christ love us?
To the death, He willingly gave Himself for us who neither loved, wanted nor
asked Him. He took the initiative to love a people hostile to Himself. It is
the greatest form of love, and that is how we are to love others. I do not
believe this is to be limited to fellow Christians either, but to all mankind
as is consistent with the rest of scripture.
Think of the depth of the
Father’s love for you, think of how great and vast, how unbreakable. Now, apply
that kind of love to others, in your thoughts, words and actions, even to your
motives. How do you need to change your love for others? In what ways can you
love them better? Do you truly grasp the love Jesus has for you? Ask Him to
show you these things so that you may fulfill this command.
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I also consulted Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary.
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