Your Bible Boost
Pastor Leonard Navarre
John 13:34-35
It is my deepest prayer that with our few moments together that we will be encouraged in our walk with the Lord Jesus but also that we will be challenged to serve our Lord Jesus in a deeper way.
Suggestion or commandment?
Do we know the difference between suggestion and commandment. John 13:34 and 35, Jesus says, “A new command I give to you…LOVE ONE ANOTHER. As I have loved you so must you love one another. By this will all men know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (Capitals mine)
So is that merely a suggestion or a commandment? If Jesus’ statement is a suggestion that merely means he is hinting, or bringing up an option for our spiritual life. You know kind of like, if you want to you can but if it’s not convenient then you don’t have to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Now, remember friends, Jesus is talking to a group of guys that has disappointed him in the past or will disappoint Him in the future. In this setting it is the last supper. Gathered around the table is a liar, a cheater, a betrayer, a denier, and all of them, when Jesus needs them the most, will flee and reject Him when He is arrested.
So is Jesus saying to these men, if you have time, if no one disappoints, if you get around to it, you can opt to love each other as I have loved you. Well, friends, that is a big resounding NO NO NO!.
Here’s the definition of commandment “a mandate, not optional” Did you get that? It is a mandate. It doesn’t even give you a hint of opting out. Since Jesus said, this is a commandment, there is no opportunity to say, ‘let’s talk about it’, “let’s form a committee and discuss it” no, it is a mandate. It is not a suggestion but a commandment.
Jesus is telling all of us that no matter who offends us, disappoints us, betrays us, cheats us, or even rejects us…the commandment from the King of Kings and Lord of lords is given to us to complete and to follow…Love One Another.
Do you remember what He did before He said these words…even with all those guys around Him, denier, betrayer, rejector? Do you remember? Yep, HE WASHED THEIR FEET. The King of kings and Lord of lords humbled and lowered Himself in a position to SERVE….to show them His love!!
Let’s look at John 13:1, “…having loved his own who were in the world he showed them the full extent of his love”. Loving others is not just saying it but demonstrating it.
So friends our Bible Boost for today, is for us to look around and follow the command, not just the suggestion of our Lord Jesus. The command of our Lord Jesus and Master is, ‘love one another as I have loved you.” John 13:34-35.
