As many of you know, I write these columns as lesson plans for my weekly Bible Study group at church. I thought it would be good to lay out this important scripture in the same way as I would teach, but in a more stuctured form. Feel free to give me feedback if you like this format better than my usual stream-of-consciousness versions!
An opening thought: In our world filled with division, hurt, and brokenness, we often look for ways to make a difference—whether in our families, our communities, or even in our workplaces. Jesus gave His followers a simple yet profound way to stand out in this world: love one another. But not just any love—a love modeled after His own sacrificial love for us.
Let’s dive into what this love looks like and how it changes everything about the way we live and interact with others.
1. The Command: Love One Another
John 13:34 – "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Jesus issues a command to His disciples: love one another. This isn’t a mere suggestion or a polite recommendation; it’s a command, something we are to live out daily. But what makes this command "new"? After all, we know that love is a theme throughout the Scriptures.
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40 NIV
The "newness" of this command lies in the standard of love.
Jesus says, "As I have loved you…"
The love Jesus demonstrates to His disciples is sacrificial, selfless, and unconditional. He is about to lay down His life for them, and for the whole world. This kind of love isn’t about feeling affectionate or doing kind things when it’s convenient. It’s about laying down our lives for one another, just as Jesus will do on the cross.
When we think of love as Jesus demonstrated it, we see something radical. Jesus’ love isn’t bound by circumstances or feelings—it is a deliberate choice to serve, forgive, and sacrifice for others.
2. The Model of Jesus’ Love
In John 13:1-17 Jesus demonstrates this love through His actions, not just His words. Before giving the new commandment, He washes His disciples’ feet—an act of humility and service. The Savior, the King, lowers Himself to the position of a servant, washing the dirt from the feet of His followers. This is love in action.
Imagine the scene: Jesus, knowing He will soon face suffering and death, chooses to serve His disciples. He models a love that is humble, self-sacrificial, and unconditional. Jesus’ love didn’t depend on His disciples’ worth or their behavior—it was a reflection of His character and His heart.
If we want to love as Jesus loved, we must follow His example. It may mean humbling ourselves to serve others, forgiving those who don’t deserve it, or loving those who might never love us back. But this is the heart of the command Jesus gives us.
3. The Witness of Love
John 13:35 – "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus doesn’t just say that loving one another is good; He says it is how the world will know that we are His disciples. Our love for one another is the testimony that shows the world we belong to Him. The way we love one another is the proof that we have been transformed by the gospel.
This is a powerful truth: when we love like Jesus, the world takes notice. Our love for one another becomes a visible, tangible witness of the gospel. It’s not our theology, our good works, or even our church attendance that defines us—it’s our love for others that marks us as followers of Jesus.
4. Peter’s Question: A Reminder of Our Limitations
John 13:36 – "Simon Peter asked him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.’"
After Jesus gives the new commandment, Peter, still grappling with Jesus’ impending death, asks, "Where are you going?" Peter doesn’t yet understand the depth of what Jesus is saying. He’s focused on Jesus’ physical departure, unable to grasp the spiritual significance of what’s about to happen.
Like Peter, we often don’t fully understand God’s plans. We may wonder why things happen the way they do, or why we face challenges in following Christ. But Jesus gently reminds Peter that there is a greater plan unfolding—one that will eventually lead to glory. The love Jesus calls us to is not just about the here and now; it’s also about trusting His timing and purpose, even when we don’t see the full picture.
5. Applying Jesus’ Love to Our Lives
So, how do we live out this "new commandment" in our daily lives? Here are some reflections:
• Love is a choice. Loving others as Jesus loves us isn’t always easy, but it’s a choice we make. Whether in our families, our friendships, or with strangers, we can choose to serve and love sacrificially, just as Jesus did for us.
• Love is active. Jesus didn’t just feel love for His disciples; He showed it through action. We are called to love in practical ways—serving others, forgiving those who hurt us, and offering grace when it’s hard.
• Love is the greatest witness. The way we love others reflects our relationship with God. Our love for one another should be so evident that others see something different in us—something that points them to Christ.There is nothing confusing or ambiguous about Jesus’ instructions to his disciples (or us).
While our culture tends to regard love as a mushy emotion, Jesus points out that for his followers love is an active verb — a doing word.
So, let’s get love into action — just like Jesus did!
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study