A New Command For A New Year

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13

Jesus knew that this was not a brand new command. There was a rich history throughout the Old Testament of loving your neighbor, treating people well, and serving others. About half the ten commandments have to do with loving others well.

So, why does Jesus call this command new?

It wasn’t new in that people had never heard of it, it was new in that not many people were practicing it. They knew they were supposed to be honest, kind, and respectful. They knew it intellectually but practically it wasn’t happening.

Sound familiar?

2020 revealed many shortcomings in our culture: we weren’t really prepared economically, structurally, or politically to weather this storm. In addition to all that, we weren’t prepared to love people in a high stress, super charged, and divided culture. It’s hard to love in crisis. We weren’t ready.

I’m guessing you’ve heard the command love one another a hundred times. You’ve heard it preached, listened to the songs, and read the devotionals. Perhaps you’ve even seen a Hallmark movie or two. Maybe it feels old. Cliché. Exactly what you’d expect a blogger to write.

Yet, Jesus says….a new command. Is it possible that our culture loves the idea of love but we don’t love the practice of it? What makes this command so new and so special is that not many people are doing it well. Are you?

I know that I am not. A quick read of I Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) leaves me feeling convicted. Love is patient (gulp). Love is kind (nervously shifting in my seat). Love keeps no record of wrongs (I’m moving on to Revelation). I have lots of opinions, thoughts, and ideas, but I have often neglected the greatest command….to love.

As we enter a new year may we embrace this new command with a passion. May we love well, show tons of grace, and treat people with respect. May we love our neighbors, friends, and yes, even our enemies. If we do, we will shine like stars in the universe, fireworks in the dark sky, and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

A new year full of opportunity to practice a new command.