A Lasting Affection

“As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, ‘the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.’” (John 13:31-35) (Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148; Revelations 21:1-6) Is there a love that lasts? In our often very ephemeral world, to speak of anything lasting may seem foolish to some or only a whimsical dream to others. But wouldn’t it be nice! Every human affection would then be bolder. Husbands, wives; parents, children; friends, extended families; all these would take on added significance and we would all be the better for it. Yeshua’s words point us to just such a love. Here is our new commandment that makes all the difference in life.

I.) Think about this new commandment. The disciples are gathered in the Upper Room for one last evening with our Adonai. At one point Yeshua says in effect, “The time has come. I will be leaving you and you will be on your own... so listen, please.” Then follow the words that demand our attention: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This command is emphasized with three repetitions. “Love one another; love one another; love one another.” It will come up twice more before they leave the room. “I command you; love one another!” There are to be no exceptions. Why is Yeshua so unrelenting with this notion? It is as though He were saying, “the world is urgently in need of love and it needs an example of what love really is.” Remember that these are the same men who only days earlier argued about who would be greatest in Yeshua’s Kingdom. James and John lobbied for first and second place. This did not seem like a group that was about to break into unconditional love! Into the midst of this conflict of wills, Yeshua issues what would seem to be a very difficult command: “Love one another.”

II.) Think now about the nature of the new commandment. Yeshua told His followers they were to love each other; no exceptions, no excuses and no conditions. Now, in the event that they thought about trivializing the meaning of love, He gives them a powerful definition: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” The point is clear. The measure of love we give must reflect the measure of love we have been given. What has come to us must appropriately go through us! The love YAHVEH provided in HaMashiach is immeasurable; and eternal. Each person is created uniquely in YAHVEH’s image and known individually; so that each hair is numbered. The little sparrow doesn’t fall to the ground except that the Father knows! And the Father loves you more than the birds! Let’s admit that the Bible’s definition of love is altogether better than anything our culture has been able to invent. YAHVEH’s love is not whimsical. It does not pass away in the middle of the night. YAHVEH’s love is forever.

III.) Think now about the power of the new commandment. Here is a crucial question: How are we to convince others, especially those who are not yet believers, that our love is real? How is our love understood as authentic? What did Yeshua say? Notice that Yeshua did not say, “The world will know you are My disciples if you believe the correct doctrines.” Not that doctrine is unimportant, but that is not what Yeshua said. Yeshua also did not say, “The world will know you are My disciples if you belong to the one true church.” Again, not that the life of church is unimportant, but that is not what Yeshua said. What He did say is this: “The world will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.” This is the way of HaMashiach. Here is perhaps, our greatest evangelism. Others did come to know the true identity of these early believers. Even the pagans declared, “See how they love one another.” There is an absolutely amazing power in genuine love. There is a love that can really last. It is the love of HaMashiach living within His people. It is a love that will not die even when death comes. It is truly the love that can last; not only for now, but forever! So how is it with you? Does the new commandment pass as true in your life? Can others see Yeshua in you? However we might respond, here is a verse to consider: Romans 5:5 says: “YAHVEH has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Here is the point: YAHVEH provides the love. We are called to share it. This is the love that lasts.