John 13:34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
The Greek word for "new" in this verse of scripture is
"Kainos," pronounced KAH-NOS, it means fresh, which would indicate
that this was not a commandment never spoken of before, but a commandment
presented in a fresh new way. Jesus was directing us to love one another, and
there should be a unique manifestation and existence of love between all
followers and believers in Christ Jesus.
When Jesus said
this, He had just finished washing the feet of His disciples. He had also just
announced the one that would betray Him, and that Peter would deny Him three
times. To love was not a new idea or commandment; however, the extent of Love
that Jesus had just shown and the love that He was about to display on the
Cross of Calvary was new. From days of old, God has taught people to love your
neighbor as yourself; however, this command was that we should love our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ, as Jesus loves us.
To love as Jesus loved
might seem to some to be a tall order, but when we reach the place in our walk
with Christ Jesus, we truly comprehend just how much He does love us; it puts
this fresh new commandment into its proper perspective. Within hours of this,
Judas will betray Jesus with a kiss for thirty pieces of silver. Furthermore,
Peter will deny even knowing Jesus not once but three times. The remainder of
the disciples will abandon our Lord and Savior, and He will die alone, and
still, He washes their feet and joyfully goes to the Cross to pay a sin debt
that He did not owe.
None of us can say we
would do that, but with a complete and total surrender to the Holy Spirit of
God, we can make a fresh new commitment to love those that might have injured
or offended us. Through the power of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we will
also be able to try to mend any relationships harmed because we hurt or
disappointed someone.
We must understand that
this love that Jesus is talking about did not change the original commandment
to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love was the foundation for the spread
of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Jesus' love filled His inner circle
while He was on this earth, and that same love will be felt among His followers
and believers to this day and beyond. This love of Christ Jesus will help the
lost of this world desire a closer relationship with the author of this
extraordinary love. God desires that all might come to a saving knowledge of
the truth of the gospel (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
If You would like the Verse of the Day sent to your daily E-Mail send a request in the "Comments" section. Please include your e-mail address
No comments:
Post a Comment