05/16/2026
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
Why does it say a new commandment? We were commanded to love in the Old Testament.
Because, Jesus clarifies it, now that we have seen how he has loved us, we are called to love others in the same way. It is a deeper sacrificial love.
The bible teaches that we were enemies of God and yet he loved us and died for us.
Romans 5:8-10
8but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10For if WHILE WE WERE ENEMIES we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Jesus said love your enemies.
Matthew 5:43-44
43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and pray for those who persecute you,
Imagine Jesus hanging on the cross saying Father forgive them for they don’t know what they’re doing.
Luke 23:33-34a
33And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
That is why it is a new commandment. Because we are called to love in the same way that Christ loved us and nobody ever loved like Jesus!
