New King, New Law
Rev. Tse Amable | July 14, 2024 | John 13:31-38
KEY VERSE:
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Every new king ascends the throne with new laws, commandments and regulations. Sometimes, it is not new laws but a revision or modification of existing ones. Jesus Christ came to this earth not only as the Lamb of God “who takes away the sin of the world” but also as the King of kings. Before his entry, Jehovah had given a comprehensive list of commandments, laws and regulations through Moses. In his ministry of 3 ½ years, Jesus Christ brought changes to some of those existing laws. For example concerning the commandment concerning adultery, Jesus Christ said “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). That was NEW KING, NEW LAW.
Love is already covered in the existing laws. To one enquirerer on the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus answered: “‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40) What is new in this new command Jesus Christ gave to his disciples in our key verse is the new height or the new standard. Jesus Christ commanded us to love one another, not just our neighbour. He also said our love for one another should be to the standard of his love for us. How did Jesus Christ love us? John wrote in John 13:1 that Jesus Christ loved his own “to the last and to the highest degree” (Amplified). In the words of one hymn writer, Jesus Christ gave us his “dying love.” That is the new command, the new law – to love one another just as Jesus Christ loved and continues to love us.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Reflect on your love for fellow Christians in your household of faith, other congregations and other denominations. Is your love for them so strong that you are willing to die for them? Is there any limitation to your love for the saints?
PRAYER:
Lord, I confess that it is difficult to love my brothers and sisters in the faith to the standard you gave us. Help me and strengthen me also to be willing and to be able to lay down my life for the saints, just as you did for me as my demonstration of love for them. Amen
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: COMMAND The Greek word for "command" used in this passage is "ἐντολή" (entolē), which means a charge, precept, or order. It carries the weight of an authoritative directive that is to be followed. Jesus, as the new King, establishes a new law for His kingdom. Jesus' new command encapsulates all moral duties in a single directive: to love one another. This command is revolutionary in its simplicity and profundity, setting the standard for how His followers should interact with one another and with the world. The command to love one another is an authoritative directive from Jesus. This love is to be modelled after Jesus' sacrificial love, which He demonstrated through His life, teachings, and ultimately, His death on the cross. This self-giving love becomes the defining mark of Jesus' disciples and the fundamental principle of His kingdom. Reflections: As followers of the new King, we are called to uphold this new law, showing the world what it means to belong to Christ through our love for one another. How can you better embody Jesus' command to love one another in your daily interactions, reflecting the new law of the new King?
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