A New Commandment

Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Bethesda and Faith Lutheran Churches in north St. Louis County, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study John 13:21-38.

After Jesus washes His disciples’ feet and teaches them the importance, He reveals that one of His Twelve will betray Him. In the midst of their uncertainty, John asks Jesus which disciple would do this. By sharing a piece of bread with Judas at that moment, Jesus highlights the depth of betrayal. Judas leaves into the darkness, a reminder of the great evil he is about to commit. Jesus continues undeterred and teaches His disciples His new commandment: “Love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The commandment is new because Jesus is about to fulfill it by giving them the fullness of His love in laying down His life.

“The Word Made Flesh” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. John. The disciple whom Jesus loved wrote his Gospel account as an eyewitness to Jesus’ life and ministry. As we read the Word of God recorded by St. John, the Holy Spirit works in us so that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and so have life by faith in His name.