One of the commands that Jesus gave to His disciples is to love one another so that people will know that they are followers of Jesus.
John 13:34 to 35 says, “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.”
Why is it that this is a new command? This is a new command because it is not interpreted in the same manner as previously understood by people.
First, we ought to love one another as Jesus loved us.
In the Old Testament in Leviticus 19:18, God said that the Israelites should love their neighbor as they love themselves. In the New Testament, Jesus repeated the same command. But it is now a new one as Jesus said.
It is a new command because the basis of loving another person is on how Jesus Christ has shown His love. The love of Jesus is sacrificial, selfless and redemptive. So, as Christians, we need to show our love to others by doing what Jesus did.
Second, we ought to love our neighbors the way Jesus understands who our neighbors are.
It is a new command because Jesus changed their perspective on who their neighbor is. Previously, a neighbor is a fellow Israelite or Jew. Now, Jesus tells them that a Samaritan is also their neighbor. It shocked them at first but eventually it changed their minds and hearts. This is the reason why the disciples went out to “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the world.” The disciples now know that people around the world are their neighbors and are in need of Jesus Christ as well.
So, as Christians, we need to reach out to anyone because those outside are family or circle of friends are our neighbors also and they need to hear the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ.
May God bless us all!
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications