Day #37 - The Master Plan: a new command

Day 37

The Master Plan: a new command

Read: John 13:34-35; 17:20-26

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Jesus, who left his followers with a “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20), had already given them a “New Command on the Great Commandment.” The Great Commandment was to love God with heart, soul, mind, and to love neighbours as oneself (Matthew 22:36-40); the New Commandment to “His new community” was to love one another (John 13:34-35). Love is the key characteristic of Jesus’ new community. It is by love for one another that Christians are recognized and recognizable.   People will be drawn to Jesus by the love they see at work in the church, a love spilling out into their local community.       

In the New Testament the fundamental fact is that God is Love, and that there is a richness of love within God. Jesus is the Father's “beloved Son” and the Son loves the Father. Out of that love, flows the divine love for humankind, which shows itself in the coming of Jesus and particularly in his death. “God commends his love in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “God loved the world so much that he gave his only son” (John 3:16). The cross is an expression of God's love; in no way is it the action of a vindictive deity.

Love is no mere “fruit-for-the-picking” it’s the essential “root of all Christian spirituality.” One of love’s fruits is Christian unity. Among Jesus last prayers was for unity among believers. He asked his Father; “that the world would know that he was sent by God because of the love produced unity of his followers” (John 17:2-23).

Ponder Point (reflect)

• Christians are to be known by their love

Consider (respond)

• God loves me, so what am I learning about loving from Him?