A New Commandment

I like to say that the gospel of John was written by the disciple of love. John had a revelation of love that  the other writers of the four gospels did not have. He even referred to himself as the as the disciple whom Jesus loved. (John 13:23) In John 13:34-35 Jesus makes an interesting statement. (34) A 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. What was new about that commandment? Let’s look at Leviticus 19:18. (18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: This was a commandment given in the Old Testament: so what was new about the commandment Jesus gave the disciples in John 13? Let’s look at something in the John Gill Commentary concerning this verse of scripture. As parents, when they take their leave of their children, in their dying moments, give them proper instructions and orders, and lay their dying injunctions on them, so Christ taking his leave of his disciples, gives them his; which were, that they were to love one another as brethren in the same family, children of the same Father, and fellow disciples with each other; by keeping and agreeing together, praying one for another, bearing one another’s burdens, forbearing and forgiving one another, admonishing each other, and building up one another in faith and holiness. The newness of this commandment was not in deeds but in the recipients of the deeds. The commandment in Leviticus was directed to the Jews only. Jews had no dealings with Gentile people under the law. There was a wall of partition between them that Jesus broke down. (Ephesians 2:14) The newness of this law was that they were to love everyone, Jews and Gentiles, just like Jesus had loved them which would identify them as disciples of Jesus. The best way to be a witness for the Lord is to show forth love. Colossians 3:12-13 shows this very clearly. (12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Notice here that we are to put this on, not wait for God to do it for us. Now let’s go to John 15:9. (9) As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. In other words, pass My love on to everyone you come into contact with and they will know you are My disciples. God bless.