Jesus Gives A New Command
The idea of the “new command” is not that it was brand new and had never been heard before. The idea is more of a “renewed command.” The old command is given again in a fresh way.
Since Old Testament times, God has told us we should love our neighbours as we love ourselves. Jesus went farther—we should love others as Jesus loves us. He laid down his life for us. Our lives also belong to each other. People know we’re Christians by the kind of love we have for others.
One of You Will Betray Me
John 13: 21-38
After Jesus had said these things, he was deeply troubled and told his disciples, “I tell you for certain that one of you will betray me.” They were confused about what he meant. And they just stared at each other.
Jesus’ favourite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal, and Simon motioned for that disciple to find out which one Jesus meant. So the disciple leaned toward Jesus and asked, “Lord, which one of us are you talking about?”
Jesus answered, “I will dip this piece of bread in the sauce and give it to the one I was talking about.” Then Jesus dipped the bread and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Right then Satan took control of Judas. Jesus said, “Judas, go quickly and do what you have to do.” No one at the meal understood what Jesus meant. But because Judas was in charge of the money, some of them thought that Jesus had told him to buy something they needed for the festival. Others thought that Jesus had told him to give some money to the poor.
Judas took the piece of bread and went out. It was already night.
A New Commandment
After Judas had gone, Jesus said: Now the Son of Man will be given glory, and he will bring glory to God. Then, after God is given glory because of him, God will bring glory to him, and God will do it very soon. My children, I will be with you for a little while longer. Then you will look for me, but you won’t find me. I tell you just as I told the people, “You cannot go where I am going.” But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You can’t go with me now, but later on you will.”
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I go with you now? I would die for you!”
“Would you really die for me?” Jesus asked. “I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t even know me.”
