The celebrations of Passover and Holy Week coincide this year, which always strikes me as a time for contemplation and joy. It was at such a celebration, just as the last of the lamb, bitter herbs and other symbolic foods of the Passover were consumed that Jesus began what would be his parting instructions to his disciples. In the style of one who has much to say, but without much time to say it, he began with the most important things, so his first command is a significant one.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
By what marking?
Jewish men were known among the people of the era by the outward sign of circumcision. This was a culture where outward displays were used to signify who you were, what you were, and to define your status in the culture. (Not unlike us today). A Roman centurion could be readily identified by his distinctive uniform. A bondservant, by the awl through an earlobe. Wealth and royalty could be distinguished by a crimson or purple garment. By what marking would a disciple of Christ be known?
Christ’s answer must have been shocking to these 1st-century disciples. You are to love, and keep on loving each other. You will be known by the way you love each other. They would not be known by their phylacteries on their forehead, or by a head covering; nor by a cross or a tattoo. No, people would know Christ’s disciples by the way they love. Barnes suggests that this commandment “showed the strength of attachment which we ought to have for Christians, and how ready we should be to endure hardships, to encounter dangers, and to practice self-denial, to benefit those for whom the Son of God laid down his life.” (Barnes, Commentary on John 13:34-35)
By what means?
Many translations say “you are to keep on loving each other” to signify the Lord’s intent that this was not a mere platitude of love, but a constant action, a state of being. (e.g. The Complete Jewish Bible). Their model was Christ himself. They were to model among themselves and to others, the love of Christ. The word for love used in this scripture is the Greek word “agape.” This defines a type of love completely selfless, so awesome in its character that many describe it as God’s love, which suggests that it is unattainable. But Jesus said this kind of love was not only possible for those who were His disciples to manifest; it was expected. It is a COMMAND.
In the twenty-one centuries since Christ, science has revealed that in our cellular structure is Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. From DNA, our physical characteristics can be predicted, disease can be anticipated, our genealogies traced, and our identities known.
According to this passage, love is in the spiritual DNA of his disciples. In their letters, John, Peter, and Paul expanded upon and encouraged us regarding this unusual badge by which a follower of the Way of Christ would be known. However, none is better known than Paul’s great exposition on love in 1 Corinthians 13. According to Paul, without love, we are nothing. It is patient, kind, and not jealous. Love is neither arrogant nor braggadocios; it acts appropriately without seeking its own interests, without provocation, without keeping account of a wrong suffered. Love rejoices in truth and despairs of unrighteousness. Love bears, believes, hopes, and endures. Love never fails.
By what measure?
The agape kind of love seems impossible to accomplish, doesn’t it? But it is in your nature. It is in your spiritual DNA. How much work does it take for your hair to grow in its distinctive color? Or your eyes and skin in their unique hues? Do you worry that you will wake up looking like someone else because your DNA malfunctioned? Yet, we sometimes cannot fathom that we are equipped to love each other just as our Lord instructed.
My pastor used to challenge us – would you be convicted in a court of law of being a disciple of Christ’s? As a lawyer, this measure spoke volumes to me. Is there sufficient evidence in my life of my love for the brethren? Is there preponderant evidence in my actions that I love the poor, the sick, the incarcerated, the widows, or the homeless on our streets? Is there clear and convincing evidence in my checkbook of my commitment to love by supporting the unlovable, the forgotten, the hopeless, and helpless? Does my life prove my discipleship beyond a reasonable doubt?
Would a jury convict me? An honest answer is that often, the answer has been, no, I’d be acquitted. I’ve been incognito. I’ve been unrecognizable at times. I have utterly failed at others. But the good news is that it is not too late to adopt and adapt. To continue the analogy, the evidentiary record is still open. It is not too late to love. It is not too late to be known as a lover of the people. It is not too late to don the garment of love.
Our discipleship will not be measured by the “fish” or flag plastered on your vehicles, the scripture or symbol tattooed across your chest, the cross around your neck, or the fine markings in your well-worn Bible. No, everyone knows you and recognizes you as a disciple by the way you love. Won’t you challenge yourself to be a disciple who loves and keeps on loving? I’d look forward to hearing your thoughts in the comments below.