What the world needs now is… love in action.

Scripture: John 11:57; 12:12; Luke 22:6; Matthew 22:15–16, 24–25, 33–40; John 13:34–35;

Ephesians 4:32; 1 Corinthians 13:4–5; Philippians 2:5; Ephesians 5:1–2; John 13:34

BIG idea - Love for God is best illustrated, demonstrated, and authenticated by love for

others.

New Covenant - This signaled the end of God’s conditional covenant with Israel and the

beginning of a new, permanent, unconditional, unilateral covenant with mankind. But

covenants, like contracts, come with terms and conditions. This new arrangement required . .

.

New Terms and Conditions . . . that would replace the old ones. They should have seen it

coming; he had been dropping hints along the way.

Months earlier, he had an encounter with the Pharisees.

Matthew 22:15–16, 24–25, 33–40

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their

disciples to him . . . 16 “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that

you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others,

because you pay no attention to who they are.”

They ask an IRS question and Jesus answer embarrasses them. Next up, the Sadducees...

24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother

must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers

among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his

brother.”

One by one. She’s been married seven times. Who is she married to in heaven? Again,

Jesus’s answer embarrasses them and they leave humiliated.

33 When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. 34 Hearing that Jesus

had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the

law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the

Law?”

Jesus saw this as an opportunity because everybody knew the answer to this question.

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with

all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it:

‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “Like it.” Equal to it. Second in sequence, not second in

greatness. This is the first time for this combination. It signaled the shift from vertical to

horizontal.

40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Love God. Love your neighbor. He reduced 600+ commands to two!

Later, Jesus continued the transition by redefining “neighbor.” The parable of the Good

Samaritan. A neighbor is anyone from anywhere with a need we can meet.

Love for God is best illustrated, demonstrated, and authenticated by love for others who are

nothing like you and who may not like you.

He chose Passover as the moment for the official reveal. Finished the meal. He’s announced

the new covenant. He humiliates them by washing their feet

John 13:34–35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so

you must love one another. By this... By this new covenant command . . . everyone will

know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Not “Love me.” Not “Love God.” Love one another. Jesus’ point: Your love for me/the Father

is best manifested in your love for one another. Less complicated/More demanding

Every New Testament imperative is simply an application of Jesus’ new covenant

command.

Ephesians 4:32, Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,

Why? just as in Christ God forgave you.

Why should we be patient and kind? Because . . .

1 Corinthians 13:4–5, Love is patient, love is kind… It does not dishonor others; it is not

self-seeking . . .

Philippians 2:5, In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ

Jesus...

Ephesians 5:1–2, Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in

the way of love, 2 just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.

The New Covenant Command - As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

That’s it. The overarching ethic for his new movement. The mark of the covenant. His

first-century followers got it.

We (the New Testament Church) exists today because the early church believers embraced

and were fueled by a single command:

John 13:34, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

The words “unlimited” and “unconditional” make us suspicious. Whether those words describe

an insurance policy, cellphone agreement, or meal plan for a college student, we assume

unlimited is really limited and unconditional has some conditions. That suspicion extends to

our relationship with God. Unconditional love? Unlimited forgiveness? There must be a catch.

But what if there isn’t?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever been told an agreement, contract, or even a relationship was

unconditional or unlimited only to discover there was a catch? What happened?

2. Have you ever experienced unconditional love? If not, do you think unconditional love is

possible? Why or why not?

3. The Pharisees feared what Jesus might take away if he became king. What are some

things you worry he might take away if you allowed him to be king in your life?

4. Read Luke 22:19–20. It must have been very difficult for the disciples to understand

that Jesus was replacing a system that had defined their entire relationship with God. Is

it hard for you to believe Jesus did everything that was required for you to have a

relationship with God? In which areas of your life do you still try to earn God’s love?

5. What is one thing you can do this week to more fully embrace your heavenly Father’s

unconditional love and unlimited forgiveness?

WEEKLY READING

Spend some time this week reading and reflecting on Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26;

Luke 22:7–39 and John 13:1–17.