"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" (John 13:34).
Our Lord first spoke these words on the night when He was betrayed, the first Maundy Thursday. And He speaks them again in this moment.
Question: How long does "new" last? For example, am I still the "new" pastor of Faith Lutheran? I was installed in August of last year. When I put that question to the congregation on Sunday, most felt that I'm not still the "new" pastor.
How long does "new" last when it comes to your phone, car, clothes and shoes? Today's new music won't be for long. The same with that new movie.
How long does "new" last? With most things in life the answer is: Not very. Today's new is tomorrow's old.
Enter the words of the crucified-risen Jesus: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."
Question: Why does He call it a "new" commandment? Answer: Because it never gets old. This commandment is almost two thousand years...new. It's always new. It's eternally new. Because when God calls something "new," it stays new. And makes everything around it new too!
Let us take everything we believe about the love, forgiveness, and servant-heart of Christ, and be that way toward each other.
And let us rejoice that in a world and experience where things only get old, one thing is always new!
