A story in John 13 has captured my attention recently. Let me set the scene: The twelve disciples had just finished the Passover meal with Jesus, hours before the arrest that would lead to His crucifixion. This is the meal in which Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, then told them some confusing things about his body and his blood; the meal that came at the end of a spectacular three year journey witnessing miracles and hearing sermons from the very mouth of God. 

As dinner concluded, those men must have wondered what was next. Sensing something big was around the corner, they must have had questions about carrying out the mission and message of their teacher and Lord. And so, as they reclined around the table and heard Jesus utter the words, “A new command I give you” (John 13:34), I can’t help but think they all leaned forward with bated breath. A new command?! This was the moment they’d been waiting for! They sat up straighter, nudged one another, eyebrows raised. And then, Jesus’ next words: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” 

Cue the confusion. Love one another? That was Jesus’ big, end-of-dinner call to action? And how was that new? These men had been hearing about that command for their entire lives. 

I imagine these were the disciples’ thoughts because, frankly, they were mine. But as I’ve thought, prayed, and researched this passage, I’ve learned something: While the action of this command (to love) wasn’t new, its measure (as I have loved you) was. In the Old Testament, God’s people were commanded to love each other as they loved themselves (Leviticus 18:19). But now, with Jesus, a new example and a new standard.

We need only to look a few verses earlier to see this kind of love in action: Jesus stooping low to serve, feed and speak compassionately to Judas, the man He knew would betray Him that very night. This was a love that went beyond the “as you love yourself” standard; a radically humble, self-sacrificing, foolish-to-the-world type of love. Something new, indeed. 

After Jesus issued this new command, he explained the reason for it in His very next breath: “By this, everyone will know you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)

This act of loving each other like Jesus was to be the starting point for inviting others to repent and believe; the cornerstone for how these disciples would demonstrate the words they preached were really true. Those who followed Jesus would no longer be set apart by special customs or required sacrifices, but by sacrificial love. Not a well-crafted argument or thrilling church service, but radical care for each other, would be at the center of how they would seek and save the lost; at the center of their evangelism. 

But the thing about loving one another as Christ loves us? It’s really, really hard. (Biggest understatement ever.) Perhaps this is why we don’t always consider this new command as part of our evangelism efforts. Other ways of proclaiming the Good News feel more achievable.  Given a couple good commentaries or podcasts, most of us could put together a sound argument for our faith. And inviting someone to church requires little more than a momentary burst of courage and a well-constructed text message. But loving each other to the point of forsaking our own comfort, happiness and even lives? Well, that’s another story. 

That’s why I think this new command from Jesus is so ingenious. Because it not only shines the Light on a world walking in darkness, but it also transforms the dark corners of our own hearts.  In our efforts to uphold this command, we realize pretty quickly that, apart from partnering with the Holy Spirit, it is impossible. Our attempts to act out this type of love bring us face to face with our own inability to do it ourselves and we’re reminded that, except for the grace of God, we are just like the lost we seek to save. 

As our own neediness is made more evident to us, so too is the power of Christ to act in and through us. Gratitude for our own rescue is renewed. Compassion for those yet to encounter Christ blooms. And as we rely on the Spirit to love each other, He shapes us into people ready and willing to proclaim the reason for that love. Ready for evangelism. 

When we, as a church, are tempted to ask “what’s next?”, our culture invites us to join the never-ending chase to capture whatever is newest and on-trend. But Jesus’ answer to our “what’s next” question is the same as His message to those first disciples: To love each other like He has loved us. When the world around us lures us forward, He beckons us back. To Himself. To our own salvation. To one another. To a love that’s so counter to our own nature, it requires the strength of Christ Himself. Our love for one another is evidence of our transformed hearts; of a living Christ, alive in us. This is how the world will know not just who we are, but that our Good News can be trusted. 

May the call to radically care for each other in the way of Christ cause us to remember the source of our salvation, and grow joyfully dependent on Him. May we be marked by a love that is distinct and astounding to the watching world, and made ready to explain its reason: not us, but Christ in us.  Let it be so, that the world might know we’re His disciples; that the lost might return home to His love.