Daily Devotions
John
How to regard the teachings of Moses
Text: John 13 : 21 - 38
HOW TO REGARD THE TEACHINGS OF MOSES
When Moses taught ancient Israel, he used very strong language. He emphatically stated that what he taught were nothing less than commandments of God. One clear text that Moses wrote confirms this understanding.
“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments
which I teach you to observe, that you may live…You shall not add to the word which I command you,
nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments
of the Lord your God which I command you.Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments,
just as the Lord my God commanded me,
that you should act according to them in the land
which you go to possess.”
Deuteronomy 4:1,2,5
Nothing could be clearer! God had given Moses His laws! He was teaching ancient Israel how to regard the Word that was taught to them! God’s Words were to be taken seriously. They were not to be trifled with! They were to be regarded as commandments and not just good advice!
HOW TO REGARD THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
John saw the difference between the ministry of Moses and the ministry of Jesus. Thus he wrote,
“For the law was given through Moses,
but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17
Some perhaps misread and misunderstood the teachings of Jesus. Perhaps they felt that since Jesus was indeed so gracious, they did not take the teachings of Jesus seriously enough. John made sure that no one would misunderstand or misinterpret what he had written in his Gospel.
The teachings of Jesus were not suggestions. His doctrines were not inferior in quality and authority from Moses’ teachings. Though Jesus had not used the word “commandment” as frequently as Moses, nevertheless, His teachings were authoritative. It is in this light that we must seek to understand and apply this teaching of Jesus.
“A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another, as I have loved you,
that you also love another.”
John 13:34
THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
What a stunning statement this was! How could Jesus command people to love one another? What if we are just not able to love some people? These and other questions probably arise naturally as we ponder this text prayerfully. Let us consider this text in greater depth.
1. A commandment!
By using the word “commandment” Jesus emphasized the power and authority that were intrinsically His! His word. The Gospel of Luke highlighted that both grace and authority exuded from Jesus. Luke observed,
“So all bore witness to Him and marveled at the gracious words
which proceeded out of His mouth…And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word
Was with authority.”
Luke 4:22, 32 (Luke 4:36)
The Disciples must never forget who their Teacher was! He may speak with the gentlest spirit, but His teaching was always with power and authority!
2. A new commandment
What was the significance of the adjective “new” in this text? There are two ways in which the word “new” could be used. It could refer to something that had never existed before, or it could be a reference to a new dimension. The latter is more likely the case, since the commandment to love one another was already taught in the Old Testament.
“…you shall love your neighbour as yourself…”
Leviticus 19:18
Why did Jesus bring in this new emphasis? A small number of reasons could be suggested. Let us consider just one thought.
There were many things unique to Jesus! There was His power, His authority and many other things. However, some of those unique qualities were intrinsically His by virtue of the fact that He was the Son of God. These things could not be passed down to His Disciples!
One of the outstanding things that characterized Jesus and His ministry was His great love – for the multitudes, and for His Disciples! This characteristic was something that could be passed over to His Disciples! If they were to cultivate a heart of love, they would reflect Jesus and His glory in a special way!
3. “As I have loved you…”
What was most astonishing about this commandment was this qualification! The Disciples were to love one another as Jesus had loved them! That was a tall order indeed! How could they find such love in their hearts! How could they have the same kind of love that resided in the heart of their Teacher?