40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 26 | A NEW COMMANDMENT | John 13:33-35
40 Days in the Book of JOHN
Day 26 | A NEW COMMANDMENT | John 13:33-35
A NEW COMMANDMENT
John 13:33-35
“Where I am going, you cannot come, so now I say to you. 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.” (NKJV)
These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples at the “last supper” just hours before He was arrested, tried, and crucified. Thus, He says, “Where I am going, you cannot come.”
Earlier, when Jesus was asked by a legal Pharisee trying to trip him up: “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” (and keep in mind there were 613 Jewish commandments in the Law). Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Now, as his earthly ministry is nearing the end, Jesus says, “So now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
Have you ever lost a loved one? Remember the loss and grief you felt? Remember how much close friends and family meant as you got through it? Well, Jesus knew his followers would soon be grieving too, as he would soon be gone, thus one reason he gave this command.
Part of what we learn here from Jesus is that we, Followers of Jesus, need one another. Not just in times of loss, but all the time. That’s why there’s no substitute for worshiping together with other Believers and being there for one another during tough times, good times, and the in-between times. We are to “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who are rejoicing.”
Prayer: LORD, thank You for thinking of everything. Thank you for this command for us to LOVE one another. Help me make that love of my brothers and sisters in Christ a lifestyle, thus showing that I am one of your disciples. Amen.
John 13:33-35
“Where I am going, you cannot come, so now I say to you. 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.” (NKJV)
These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples at the “last supper” just hours before He was arrested, tried, and crucified. Thus, He says, “Where I am going, you cannot come.”
Earlier, when Jesus was asked by a legal Pharisee trying to trip him up: “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” (and keep in mind there were 613 Jewish commandments in the Law). Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Now, as his earthly ministry is nearing the end, Jesus says, “So now I say to you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
Have you ever lost a loved one? Remember the loss and grief you felt? Remember how much close friends and family meant as you got through it? Well, Jesus knew his followers would soon be grieving too, as he would soon be gone, thus one reason he gave this command.
Part of what we learn here from Jesus is that we, Followers of Jesus, need one another. Not just in times of loss, but all the time. That’s why there’s no substitute for worshiping together with other Believers and being there for one another during tough times, good times, and the in-between times. We are to “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who are rejoicing.”
Prayer: LORD, thank You for thinking of everything. Thank you for this command for us to LOVE one another. Help me make that love of my brothers and sisters in Christ a lifestyle, thus showing that I am one of your disciples. Amen.