May 27 | John 13:31-35

Pamela Mann
May 26, 2025
3 min read

DAILY READING

REFLECTION

A New Command

By Pam Mann

Jesus and his closest associates of the past three years are gathered together for the Passover in Jerusalem. It’s a holy night in the holy city. The disciple whom Jesus knows will betray Him has just left. Jesus has loved Judas and trusted him with the group’s finances. Jesus knows that the departure of Judas is setting into motion the events which will mean His death and will save humanity from itself.

“Now,” Jesus says, “The Son of Man is glorified.” Starting with the treachery of a friend, the only perfectly lived life will be poured out as hope for all nations, even generations yet born, like ourselves. Only Jesus can make this once-and-for-all sacrifice. No one else can come with Him. He alone is the perfect Lamb of God.

On this night, Jesus has transformed the Passover feast. Two thousand years later, we join other disciples and share in that transformed meal. At the Lord’s table, we meet Jesus and know His real presence to forgive and empower us. The resurrection power of Jesus at work in us fuels us for all that He has prepared in advance for us to do in His kingdom work. We are the Church, the body of Christ.

On this night, Jesus gives his disciples, including us, a new commandment. Remember the old commandment is “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The new command is “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Let’s ponder that love of Jesus Christ. How does Jesus love? He loves the close confidant who betrays him. He loves the dear friend who denies knowing him. He loves the close companions who flee in the moment of his dire need. He loves those who spit on him, those who mock him, and those who condemn him. He loves those who flay him, those who nail him to a cross, and those who hang condemned beside him. He loves those who mock him, those who steal his garments, and those who gape at his suffering.

“Love one another as I have loved you,” Jesus says.

The concept of this command to love seems simple, at least, on its surface. But, considering the One whom we’re meant to emulate as we love our neighbor, compliance with this command seems impossible.

God alone can love so compassionately the unlovable.

We cannot obey this command. Our flesh will fail us.

However, just as the presence of Christ at the Lord’s table uses mere bread and wine as empowering food for our souls, so also, that same presence of the crucified and risen Christ can empower us to do what is otherwise impossible. In the power of Christ alone, we can love one another as He has loved us.

PRAYER

Come, Lord Jesus, be our power source to love one another as You have loved us.

We can only love like You if You are with us.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.