January 5, 2022 -- John 13:34-35 -- What Wondrous Love

People loved by the Father, by the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV

Wait a minute! How is this a new commandment? When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment He replied: “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 first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself'“ (Matthew 22:37-39). Ah, as you place these two next to one another you begin to see the difference.

In Matthew, Jesus noted the Old Testament regulation, that believers love their neighbors as (they love) themselves. Now Jesus, having just washed His disciples’ feet, showing them the extent of His love (which in context includes His humble obedience to the Father which leads to the sacrifice of Himself at the cross) Jesus commands His followers love one another as He has loved them.

Believers in Jesus are self-sacrificing. Believers in Jesus are not part of cancel culture—instead they will put up with a lot from others, particularly other believers, recognizing all are debtors to Jesus and His sacrificial love. No one has the high road. All believers equally have been brought from death in their sins and trespasses to life in Jesus’ Name. Notice also that Jesus washed Judas Iscariot's feet, even His own betrayer, Jesus washed his feet, giving Judas every opportunity to receive Jesus' love and repent from wrong.

The consequence of such love is that people in our world will see such love, love which is not evident among them. and say, see how those Christians love one another. These people are true Christ-followers, look how they love! Think of this in today's context where some Christians are pro-vaxx and others anti-vaxx. Do they love one another as Christ has loved them? Think of this in the context of adult-baptism people and paedo-baptism groups. Do they love one another as Christ has loved them? The challenge today is this: ask yourself, where is your Christian love failing right now?

Jesus, Servant-Savior, Christ the King, increase our faith! As you have loved us, from the comprehensiveness of Your love and empowered by Your Spirit’s presence in us, help us to love another as You have loved us. From our Father in heaven, we have received His reconciling love through Your sacrifice Jesus, and by Your Spirit help us to be a community that loves persistently, faithfully, and without keeping score of who did what to us. Jesus, let Your love be our model and goal. As we love in this way, just as You promised, may many people around us come to know we are Your disciples, and then may such folks move from jealousy at such a display of love to being included as a member of Your community of love. Amen.

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