Loving One Another

Loving One Another

John 13:34-35

*** Watch: https://youtu.be/Jpv3Ygkp4Zc

In a quick review of New Testament, I found that the phrase, “one another” was used 100 times, and 60% of the time it was written as a command, and even more telling is that 47 of these were written instructions to followers of Jesus Christ.

And what is even more telling is that out of these 47 written commands, 11 of them are of our need to love one another.

So I think it’s safe to say that this is something that Jesus wants to get across to His church. In fact, He uses the terminology that it is not only a command, but a new commandment.

Now, love is one of the most precious commodities out there, and one of the greatest gifts we can ever give and receive.

But why does the Lord place such a high priority on our need to love, which is seen in what Jesus described as the Greatest Commandment, telling us of our need to love the Lord with the whole of our being, that is, with our heart, soul, and mind; and then to love one another with that very same love (Matthew 22:36-39).

And then to top it off, the Apostle Paul said that out of the top three qualities that a Christian can and should possess, that is, faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

And in case anybody might wonder why, well it’s because the Lord God Himself is love.

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16 NKJV)

In fact, just a couple of verses earlier, verse 8, we are told that if a person does not love, they don’t know God, because again, John said, “God is love.”

This is actually confirmed by Jesus in the Great Commandment when He said that the second commandment, to love our neighbors as ourselves, is like the first, which is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36-39). And by saying that it is like the first, it is through our love for others that we show God just how much we love Him.

The passage of Scripture that I would like to use for our lesson today is from what Jesus said in John 13:34-35.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 NKJV)

The importance and centrality of this command cannot be understated. What we might say is that there isn’t a more important teachings found in the Bible than this one, and that’s because it is the basis for not only our faith, but in our relationship with God and each another.

This is seen in how the Scriptures teach that in love we are to serve, tolerate, greet, give preference, and be devoted to one another. And so, it might be safe to conclude all the other commandments hinge upon our loving God and one another, which is what Jesus said right after giving the Great Commandment saying, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40 NKJV)

Jesus is making it clear that our love for others is the way we display to the world our love for God. And so, this instruction for loving one another is not so much a new commandment, as it is one that Jesus needs to refresh and re-emphasize within the minds, hearts, souls, and spirits of His followers.

We also see its importance in that Jesus began His last teaching to the disciples with these words. Plus, nowhere else in the New Testament does this term, “new commandment” occur. And with the commandments already established in God’s law, as found in the Old Testament, Jesus giving this new commandment is quite significant and shouldn’t be overlooked, especially seeing that Jesus is the Lord God come down in human form.

So what can we learn about love in what Jesus said in our signature verse.

1. It’s a Command to be Followed

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.” (John 13:34a NKJV)

Actually by keeping this commandment, we are showing Jesus just how much we love Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15 NKJV)

The Apostle John said, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3 NKJV)

And so, this new commandment, to love one another, is something that shouldn’t be thought as a burden or hindrance to the faith, but one that is a pure joy to follow.