A Newer Commandment (John 13:31-35) 160407
It was thrilling to receive the news that the latest addition to A&E BAG, Matthew Toh, came into this world yesterday! He was swift and smooth according to his daddy, perhaps it was also due to all our prayers. Anyway, congrats to Steven and Hui Jia! Get ready got red egg feast!
I was thrilled as I send out prayer request for the Toh’s family last night, I receive many inquiry because people were really praying. It was already late, but I believed that the love for one another compel us to stay awake to keep the mother and child and also the father in prayer. This is exactly what Jesus wanted His disciples to do, love one another (v34).
Jesus said that this was a New Commandment (v34), was it really new? Didn’t the Old Testament laws had demanded His people to love one another too? Recently I read some portion of Leviticus, I found that there were many laws and commandments given by God through Moses were for His covenanted people to treat one another well and also treat others who were not His people well too. What a generous and gracious God we have!
But when Jesus gave this command to His disciple before He was to be glorified (v31,32), He was preparing them to the ministry of witnessing. This commandment was to give them the most powerful tool to reach out to that people around them who had not believed Jesus as Lord. Jesus foresaw the hostility that His disciples will face in the future after He left, and for them to continue that ministry, they needed this commandment. It was not something new, but it is even newer.
How will the world know about Jesus? Through His disciples. How will the world know that who is Jesus disciples? This is the crucial question, and it is through the love of His disciples demonstrate. We, as Jesus’ disciples, have the awesome responsibility to live a life of love. It is not a suggestion, it is a commandment. How do you fare in loving one another?
Do you pray for your brothers or sisiters in Christ when they need? When was the last time you call someone from your small group and ask about their life and pray with them? When was the last time you meet a fellow church member for lunch and give him or her some encouragement? (I am not talking about lunch after Sunday Service) Have you lately send a card to a friend who need some encouragement? Have you visited the home of your small group members, beside the place you meet for small group?
I am not here to prick on any of your conscience, but I think we are not taking Jesus’ commandment seriously. How can we call ourselves Jesus’ disciples and yet not willing to follow His commandment? No matter it is an old commandment or new commandment or even newer commandment!
