07/25/2021
Jesus gave us a new commandment; that we are to love one another, and we are not simply to love them as one man loves another, but with a divine love, an agape love. Jesus tells us this when He says “just as I have loved you.” Are we capable of this? We know that this is how we love God, and how He loves us, but can we step into His shoes and love another human being as we are loved by Him? Can we step out of our world and love each other in an entirely new and wonderful way?
“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.”
John 13:34 ESV
We are not to be committed to another for anything except to love them. When we read this particular scripture it places enormous emphasis on the new commandment of love. We are not to promise anything except the love with which Jesus loves us… it is the currency of Christianity, and is given freely without obligation. If we owe a man anything beyond a divine love for him then we will have placed something above the value of God’s love, and the love of Christ, for us. Nothing except agape love is considered tender in heaven.
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8 ESV
We are inclined to read the agape love contained in this new commandment just as we do the second great commandment that Jesus spoke of in scripture, but that love was said to be the underpinning of the law of Moses, and was described as loving our neighbor as ourselves… it is not the same as how Jesus loves us. The new commandment concerning love takes the love which was under the law and does with it what Jesus said He had come to do… it fulfills it. It takes man’s love for his fellow man and extends it to new heights… divine and heavenly heights.
““Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
Matthew 5:17-18 ESV
My wife makes wonderful real fruit popsicles that are not only tasty, but are good for you. Our favorite ones are those that begin with watermelon, and then are topped off by kiwi fruit. A popsicle made entirely of watermelon would be wonderful, but adding a layer of kiwi with its slight tartness really completes it. The love we are describing today is similar to the popsicles my wife makes… the love of man for his neighbor is good, but when Jesus added to it the love He has for us it is amazingly wonderful indeed.
https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/watermelon-kiwi-popsicles-recipe/
We were never meant to live under the law of Moses forever, but to eventually live within the fulfilled law of Christ. Loving one another was always good, but it wasn’t the final destination that God had in mind for us. So can we love each other as Jesus loves us? Yes we can if He abides in us. Can we understand this commandment in its fullness? Yes we can if we have the Holy Spirit revealing it to us. Can we take on the image of God? Yes, because that is how He chose to make us.
So, Are we ready to be all of this? The watermelon and the kiwi; the love of man, and Jesus? Well, each of us must determine that for him or her self, but I certainly hope, and pray, that we are. Let’s love one another as Jesus loves us! Let’s be consumers of the fulfilled law.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for not only giving us the ability to love as human beings, but to love as you love, and as your Son Jesus loves us. Help us Holy Father to experience the fullness of being loved by you, and in loving one another as Jesus loves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has made us in your image, and shares the essence of who you are with us. We praise your name Father for the human love we have for each other, but we worship and glorify you for giving us the ability to love another as you do. We thrill in loving you, but are amazed that we have been told to love others as Jesus loves us. Wash us clean of all sin with the blood of Christ that is the product of His love for us, and in loving obedience to you. Lift us up on judgement day Father, and see Jesus reflected in our ability to love. Pronounce us pleasing to you Lord, and deem us worthy of spending eternity in your presence.
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””
John 13:35 ESV
Rich Forbes