The New Commandment

A lot happened during the Last Supper. First, John tells us that Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him. Then Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. And now in John 13:33 (Amplified) Jesus tells His disciples He’s not going to be with them much longer, then gives them a new commandment: Love one another, “Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.” And then He goes on to tell them why they should do this: “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

We witness by our actions not just our words. And though words are powerful, if our actions don’t line up, if our words concerning God or the gospel don’t line up, they may have little effect. I think this is why so many non-Christians look at us and call us “hypocrites” because we have not followed Jesus’ new commandment. Actually it’s not new at all. In reality it encompasses the fifth through tenth commandments which all pertain to how we should treat each other; while the first four cover our relationship and responsibility to God. If we truly love others as we love ourselves, we wouldn’t violate Jesus’ commandment so often. And here in is the problem.

So many people are hurting and are injured and don’t love themselves. And because of this it’s impossible for them to truly love others. Yes, they try and try but fail and fail.  Their heart is in the right place and they truly want to be different, yet they just can’t seem to manage it. And here’s where Jesus comes in. HE is the one that can heal a wounded heart, a wounded spirit. HE is the one who can show you how much you are valued. HE is the one who can show you your awesome destiny, the things He has planned for you. HE is the one who can enable you to love yourself so that in turn you can love others.

That’s one of the things I love most about Jesus. He gives us a command, then if we sincerely want to follow it, HE will make it possible. Some of you might remember Dionne Warwick’s song “What the world needs now is love sweet love.” It was a nice  catchy tune, but the truth is that what the world really needs now is Jesus, as well as more people who will allow Him to heal their broken, wounded hearts so that they can love themselves, and by extension, love others. That’s the only way any of us will be able to follow Jesus’ “new commandment.”

Until next time,

Sylvia