Dean's Devos: Loving Like Jesus Loved, Part 1

by Dr. John Harvey

In John 13:34-35, Jesus gave his disciples (and us) a new commandment:

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (NLT)

Jesus says this commandment is “new” commandment, and the Greek word (καινός) means “new of a different kind.” How is this commandment different from the “great” commandment to love God (Deut. 6:5) and the “royal” commandment to love our neighbor (Jas. 2:8)?

Jesus’ commandment is new, because it is directed toward new subjects:

 We are to love other believers (13:34a):

“Love one another . . .”

The great commandment is directed toward God. The royal commandment is directed toward our neighbor. The new commandment is directed toward our brothers and sisters in Christ and reminds us that our relationship with other followers of Jesus transcends all other human relationships. Human blood might be thicker than water, but Jesus’ blood creates a bond that is even thicker.