“A New Commandment”

John 13:34-35

Pastor Tom Johnson, March 28, 2013 (Maundy Thursday)

You’ve heard it called “The Golden Rule.” James calls it “The Royal Law” (James 2:8). “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This rule is first given to God’s people in the Old Testament in the book of Leviticus (19:18) in the words, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Far from being a mere cliché, this Scriptural truth is a powerful reminder of how we ought to relate to one another. It is insightful instruction in how we should treat others. It encourages us ask ourselves, “How would you like it if someone did or said that to you?” It invites us to take the perspective of another person: the person who will either be the victim of our sin or the benefactor of our love. The commandment invites us to take the time “to walk a mile in someone else’s moccasins.” And to do so before we speak a discouraging word or act in an unloving manner. It is also profoundly convicting since we so often fail to love each other as we would want to be loved. What a different world this would be if we all did this!

As significant as this Royal Law is, Jesus brings it to a whole new level. And He does it, ironically enough, on the night He is betrayed. He teaches us what love is when He himself is not treated as a neighbor should be—the very night He is sold for 30 shekels of silver and then betrayed with a kiss.

Our Lord said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.” At first, it doesn’t seem like there is anything new at all. But He continues: “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.” The new aspect of this commandment is the Lord’s description of this love: “Just as I have loved you.” This is no ordinary commandment. This is a uniquely Christian commandment. One has to know the Gospel to understand this love. The old commandment, love your neighbor as yourself, was a commandment that only involved horizontal, human relationships. How would your fellow human being want to be treated? The new commandment, love as Christ loved us, is a commandment which also involves a vertical and divine relationship. How can I love this person in the same way Christ has loved me? How do my actions compare with and actually reflect the selfless, sacrificial acts of my Lord? The new commandment invites us to take the perspective of our Savior—He who loves an undeserving and sinful people.

Following this discussion of a New Commandment with His disciples Jesus takes bread, gives thanks, distributes it and says “Take, eat. This is my Body, given for you.” Similarly, he takes the cup of wine and says, “This cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” This is not just an illustration of love or a picture of love. Christ’s passion—His suffering and death—is the very act of love itself.

It is a tragic error to sentimentalize this meal. Jesus is actually strengthening us in the love he is talking about. We are actually experiencing his love in our eating and drinking—which strengthen and preserve us body and soul unto eternal life.

And so Jesus loves us by Word, Bread, and Wine. He loves us by giving his Body and Blood in this meal. He loves us by giving his Body and Spirit up on the Cross. And having been loved by Jesus; we now can love like Jesus. Because his love does not just cover us from condemnation and death. It transforms us into forgiving, empathetic, self-sacrificing people. We leave the Lord’s Table and Communion together as recipients of his love. We leave as conduits and ambassadors of his love.