Our scripture this morning is John 13:34-35 (NASB).
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
While Jesus says this is a new commandment, it is really a very old commandment that He is giving a new meaning and a new responsibility for us. He tells us people will know we are His disciples if we have love for one another. No badge or title will ever prove our love for Him, we can show it only by our sharing of the love He gave us.
During the time of Moses God told His people “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18). We are one family of His children and called to see each other as brothers and sisters. Our love for one another is a reflection of the love through which we were all created.
The Gospel of Matthew tells of Jesus being asked “what is the greatest commandment?” He responds “ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). That pretty well covers it – nothing else we do means anything if we don’t do it out of love.
Gracious God, You sent Your Son to show us Your love in a human form, that we might see ourselves better as part of Your love in creation. Bless us to go in Your name to share that love everywhere. Amen.
