Devotion

New Commandment

John 13:34 ESV

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

This command was given after the disciple’s had a recent struggle with pride. In essence it was a new commandment because He was asking the disciples to love not just as the old commandment of love your neighbor as yourself, but to love with a sacrificial, servanthood type of love. The newness of the commandment lies in the quality: loving others as He loved them sacrificially, and unconditionally. Unconditional love is rare but Jesus loves each of us unconditionally. Jesus’s command was for a new era of grace, replacing the old covenant law-based love. This love was demonstrated by Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, showing Himself that He came to serve.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to love the way You love. Teach me compassion like Your compassion and mercy like Your mercy. Teach me to be accepting, forgiving and bring me to the place where I will give unconditional love. In Your name Lord Jesus I ask, Amen!