The New Commandment
John 13:31–38
Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
Jesus is himself our example as we obey his command to love one another. It is not just that we are to love. It is that we are to love as he loved us. His love is to be the full measure of our love for one another.
How can we speak about this practically? One way is to turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 and substitute “love” with the word “Jesus.” “Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not arrogant. He is not rude, he does not seek his own way, he is not irritable, he is not resentful. Jesus does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. He bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Jesus never fails.” Clearly, the substitution of “Jesus” for “love” is quite proper, for Jesus is obviously the embodiment of such love. Our hearts acknowledge it to be so, and we rejoice in the fact.
Now make another substitution. We are told in our text that we are to love as Christ loves. But since 1 Corinthians 13 reveals the way that Christ did love, we (if we love in that way) should be able to substitute our name for his. We should be able to put “I” where “love” is printed. “I am patient, I am kind. I do not envy, I do not boast, I am not arrogant. I am not rude, I do not seek my own way, I am not irritable, I am not resentful. I do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoice with the truth. I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things. I never fail.” When we read it this way, the result is humbling, for we recognize that we do not love as Jesus loves. We do not even understand such love. And we find ourselves praying, “Oh, Lord Jesus, teach me to love others as you love.”
When we pray this way God will help us, and we will begin to grow in the love and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Do those who are not yet Christians see God in you? It is a breathtaking thought. But this verse teaches that they can and will, if you will love others. Will you? Remember, this is not a divine invitation, as if Jesus had said, “Won’t you please love others?” It is not even one of a series of steps to successful living, as if he had said, “You will be happier if you love one another.” It is Christ’s new command. “Love one another!” God grant that we shall and that, in doing so, we may truly be his disciples.
Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.