Something New!
One thing we all can agree on is that there are people everywhere with whom we disagree. This fact of life is impossible to ignore, today more than ever. It is not a far reach to find someone of differing opinions, practices, and preferences. And because our first reaction to opposition may be defensiveness or anger, this is a great day to remind ourselves of an alternative.
Jesus spent three years in close relationship with His twelve chosen disciples. They travelled together, ate together, lodged together, and did ministry together. No doubt they dealt with all the common challenges that come into relationships, and those challenges were probably intensified by their close proximity, uncomfortable living conditions, and relentless pace of their work. As these men brushed shoulders every day they most assuredly rubbed each other wrong. Some woke up on the wrong side of the bed, some were more compatible than others, and maybe some did not even like all the others.
Jesus had to remind them with some frequency how to work together. They had to be told to keep their ego and pride in check and, instead, be a servant (Luke 22:26). They were told to be trusting and humble like a child (Matt. 18:3). And they were challenged to have unwavering faith in Him (John 14:1).
So, with Jesus as their Lord and leader, they stuck together. As their three years came to an end, however, and the hours grew shorter for them to be together, Jesus gave them some final instruction.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 (NIV)
Jesus commanded them to love one another. This was something new! They had been corrected repeatedly regarding their arrogance and pride, and their unbelief. For this lesson, however, the directive came as a command. They were to go beyond getting along or merely keeping the peace: they were to love. And Jesus was explicit in the kind of love He was commanding them to show. He said they were to love as Jesus loved them.
This command of Jesus, like all His words and teaching, is for us as Christians also. Just because Jesus said it, because it is in red in my Bible, I know it is good and applicable for me. So let’s zoom in a little closer and remind ourselves of the context and the setting in which Jesus gave this command.
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
John 13:1-5 (NIV)
Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another while Judas was out betraying Him. Jesus knew what Judas was doing. He knew He was going to be betrayed and crucified, and He knew while He washed Judas’ feet. He knew that Judas would get the dirty job done. He knew the others would hate Judas because of what he did. Jesus knew, and He commanded them to love.
Merely tolerating and keeping the peace with our neighbors, our church community, even our family and friends, is not fulfilling the command of Jesus. Jesus loved Judas even as He was betrayed by him. Jesus loved us even when we were His enemies (Rom. 5:8). As He loved us, we are to love each other.
For all of us feeling short on love today, I pray that God, Who is love, will overflow our hearts with His love (I John 4:8). He has more than enough love to lavish on us so that we have plenty to share.
May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
I Thess. 3:12-13 (NIV)
