A Whole New World… or Church
Jesus’ New Commandment: One Love That Transforms
In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us something powerful—something that can change how we live, how we treat others, and how the world sees us. It’s found in John 13:34:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
This verse, Jesus’ new commandment, isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a bold, direct, and loving instruction. He gave it not in comfort, but in a moment filled with pain and betrayal. Even as Judas left the room to turn Him over to the authorities, Jesus chose to teach love.
That moment shows us everything we need to know about who Jesus is—and who we’re called to be.
What Is Jesus’ New Commandment?
Jesus’ new commandment is simple on the surface: love one another. But don’t be fooled by how easy it sounds. This love goes deeper than being nice or polite. It’s not just about kindness to friends or being helpful now and then.
This love is a sacrificial love, a love that chooses others even when it’s hard, uncomfortable, or painful. Jesus said, “As I have loved you,” and we know what that looked like—He washed the disciples’ feet. He served them. He even forgave them, knowing one would betray Him and the others would run.
This commandment wasn’t given when everything was fine. It was given in the middle of a storm. And that tells us something: we’re called to love not only when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.
Why Did Jesus Call It New?
The idea of loving others wasn’t brand-new. The Old Testament already told people to love their neighbors. But Jesus’ new commandment took it to a whole new level. It raised the bar.
He didn’t say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” this time. He said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” That changes everything. Jesus’ love wasn’t based on feelings or fairness. His love was selfless.
It was a love that serves,
a love that forgives,
a love that lays down its life.
That’s the kind of love Jesus wants us to share.
The Power of Love in Hard Moments
Think about the moment when Jesus gave this commandment. It wasn’t during a quiet walk or a joyful celebration. It was during the Last Supper, just before His arrest. Judas had just walked out the door. The cross was just hours away.
Jesus had every reason to be angry, worried, or bitter. But instead, He turned to His disciples and gave them this command to love.
Why love in such a dark moment?
Because love is the light that drives out darkness.
Because love changes us—and through us, it changes the world.
Jesus showed us that love is not just an emotion. It’s a choice, and it’s the strongest response to betrayal, fear, or hurt.
How Jesus’ New Commandment Builds the Church
At Noel United Methodist Church, we recently celebrated two years as a congregation. Like many churches, our journey hasn’t been easy. We’ve had to ask big questions:
- Who are we?
- What are we becoming?
- Are we just recreating the past, or becoming something new?
These are growth questions. And real growth—spiritual growth—can be uncomfortable. It stretches us. It changes our rhythms. But it’s necessary.
The heart of our growth has been Jesus’ new commandment. We’ve seen that loving one another like Jesus leads to real community. It creates space for new beginnings. It builds trust. It makes room for people to bring their whole selves—hurts, hopes, and all.
Love Is Our Identity
Jesus said something else important in John 13:35:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
That means love isn’t just a feeling. It’s our identity marker. It’s how people know we follow Jesus—not by what we say or the music we play or the clothes we wear, but by how we treat one another.
At Noel, and in any church really, we are constantly asking:
Are we showing love like Jesus?
Not just to those we already like… but to those who are different, those who’ve hurt us, those we don’t understand?
Because Jesus didn’t make exceptions when He gave that command.
What Happens When We Live Out Jesus’ New Commandment?
Here’s what happens when we take Jesus’ command seriously:
- People feel seen and valued.
- Trust grows.
- We move from being a group of individuals to a family.
- We become a witness to the world.
This is not just church growth—it’s kingdom growth. It’s the kind of growth that can’t be measured by numbers alone. It’s seen in healed relationships, in shared meals, in prayers whispered over the phone, in laughter after tears.
This kind of love is bold.
It’s risky.
It’s messy.
But it’s beautiful.
Loving One Another Today
So how do we live out Jesus’ new commandment today? Here are a few ideas:
- Start small – Be patient with someone who’s difficult.
- Go first – Forgive before you’re asked.
- Show up – Check in on someone who’s hurting.
- Serve quietly – Do something kind without expecting anything in return.
- Listen fully – Give someone your full attention.
These actions might seem small. But they reflect the heart of Jesus.
Love That Leads to New Life
Every church, every community, every person will go through seasons of change. Some are exciting. Others are painful. But through it all, Jesus’ new commandment remains:
Love one another. As I have loved you.
This isn’t just a nice idea. It’s the way forward.
When we follow this command, we don’t just stay the same. We grow. And growth is what God wants for us—not only in numbers, but in spirit, in truth, and in love.
The Carpet Ride of Faith
In the movie Aladdin, there’s a famous scene where Aladdin holds out his hand to Jasmine and says, “Do you trust me?” She takes his hand, and they go on a magic carpet ride.
It’s scary.
It’s uncertain.
But it’s also full of wonder.
That’s how the church feels sometimes. That’s how following Jesus feels.
And in that moment—when we’re not sure what’s ahead—Jesus reaches out with this command:
Love one another.
It’s not just a rule. It’s a way of life.
It’s not just about what we do. It’s about who we’re becoming.
May we be people of love. May we be a church of love.
May we follow Jesus’ new commandment—one step, one heart, one hand at a time.