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NEW commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35)
A serious Bible scholar could not help observing a subtle shift in perspective in the Gospels and Epistles of the Apostle John from the three previous Gospels. All that John records of the life of Christ is directly associated with the compelling power of LOVE. In John’s Gospel we find the most powerful and Messianic verse in all the Bible – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) It is for this reason John is referred to as the Apostle of LOVE by most commentators. This does not detract from the love of all the other apostles, it is simply John was the youngest of the twelve and most impressionable with the love and compassion embodied by the Lord toward the sick, lame, and sinners.
It was John whose head lay upon the breast of our Lord at the Last Supper. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Even though John is the writer of this Gospel, he never mentions his own name; however, we know for a fact this verse refers to the youthful John. The Lord did not love the others less, but He doubtless held a particular love for John as a Father for His child.
I have heard ministers teach Jesus gave a new commandment when He was asked by an expert in the law, of which Pharisees were very fond, asked Him a question, trying to trick Him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40). Thus, He provided the Summary of the Law we hear at Holy Communion service. The Pharisees made their earthly living by providing guidance on how to get around the 613 Mosaic Laws with as little inconvenience as possible. They were astounded when Jesus boiled the intent of those laws down to two sentences. They were much more comfortable getting around laws than complying with ones that might inconvenience them. You see, these two are not new Commandments, but are found in the Old Testament the first of which may be found at Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, & 30:6. The Second may be found at Leviticus 19:18 in addition to many other parts of the New Testament. So, what is the New Commandment? It is given in the introductory verse.
This is the most powerful of all the Commandments and the most often violated. How much should the Christian love his brother Christian? He should love him/her as much as Christ loved us and gave His life for us. What does this give evidence of? It proclaims that we are true disciples of Christ! In actually, even this Commandment is not new. It was understood from the Law and Prophets of old, but Christ renders the Commandment in clear command for us to obey.
One can scarcely make a decision to love another with no reason or cause. The reason and cause come from the Holy Spirit working in our inward parts and ameliorating ill will and contempt for others that may reside there. Seasoned by the Word of God, and watered plentifully by our Love for Him, we cannot help but become an overflowing fountain of love for our fellow believers – even unto death. St. Valentine gave himself up to the lions at the Coliseum in order to spare the lives of his fellow disciples. The history of the Church is replete with such examples.
In his Epistle, John writes: 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11)
Love gives us the ability to obey God and His Commandments without strict compulsion but rather out of a heart-felt desire to please Him in all things. Love is the most important aspect of the Bible for it points directly to the Creator – God is love (1 John 4:8) The only love we can give others comes from God who gave to us. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
When we love others, we become lovable. So be it!
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