Love Is Not New, It Makes Things New

by Eric Elkin

“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples when you love each other.”

— John 13:34ff

Today is Maundy Thursday in the Church world. The word Maundy is derived from an Old French word translating the Latin word mandatum. Mandatum means "mandate or command" and is the source for the English word "mandate." In Christianity, the day is designed to remember, celebrate and commit ourselves to Jesus' new commandment.

Jesus gave this new commandment to his disciples after he washed their feet and shared one Last Supper. Some congregations will wash feet this night, while others will break bread. Preachers will talk about something new, but this commandment is not new. Even a casual reader of the Bible will notice its consistent presentation throughout the entire Bible.

What is new is the depth Jesus is willing to go to love. The older I get, the more I experience the world's commitment to war and human devotion to hatred. This evening starts to take on new meaning for me. What stands out is that Jesus washed the feet of the one who would betray him and then included him in the breaking of bread. Could you serve an enemy this way?

Tonight, when Christians gather in a sanctuary, the world outside will once again be doing what it does. The United States is shipping more javelin missiles to Ukraine. Russia continues to slaughter civilians at an alarming rate. A man was arrested for attacking commuters at a New York City subway station. And these are just the stories grabbing headlines. There is a tsunami of other violent events taking place we could cite as old traditions contradicting a new commandment.

“God has a plan for how to start anew…In those places and times of hardship, it seems appropriate to think about the newness and change and hope that comes when God takes twigs and makes cedars.”

— Tyler Mayfield

Today, I am thinking of a camp song. In many Christian camps, the song is a camper and staff favorite. It's called the Love Round. Searching YouTube, I found the campers and staff of a camp run by a long-time friend singing it. Some children are reluctant singers, while others are enthusiastic. Regardless, once the words are sung, joy fills the community.

There is a line in the refrain which speaks to me today. "...And love all humankind as you would love yourself." The song continues that Christian lives are marked by receiving and sharing love. Sadly, love is not always the defining action of Christians. We can quickly be overrun by the impulse to anger, hatred, and even violence.

Here's something to consider, perhaps the new commandment was not intended as an addition to laws already established. Maybe, the new commandment was presenting servant love of neighbor and enemy as a way of making all things new.

Love is not new. Nor is love the sole possession of the Christian Church. One does not need to be Christian to be trained in its practice. Both Christians and non-Christians forget the power of love or the world's need for it. All of us, all humankind, need to be reminded love is the first step in creating a new reality. When the day seems bound to darkness, love is the start of making all things new.

Click to read John 13