“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another.” John 13:34

Do We Have a Choice, Really?   Recognize a theme for the last week? Just in case it’s not clear, the theme has been “love.” Love in various contexts. Today’s verse is such a bittersweet exhortation from our Messiah and Savior. Yeshua and His disciples are observing Pesach—the Passover. They’d celebrated this feast together in previous years—in fact they celebrated it their whole lives, for generations.

But this observance was different, wasn’t it? We know the story. This was Jesus’ last observance together before He was to be betrayed and tortured then crucified. (And gloriously resurrected.)

The significance of Yeshua’s “new” commandment was in His actions in the previous verses.

While the seder meal was happening, the devil had already put in the heart of Judah from Kriot [Judas Iscariot] that he should hand over Yeshua. Yeshua knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. (vss. 2-3, TLV)

Jesus partook of this holy feast with the man who would betray Him. One of His beloved disciples who witnessed miracles and most likely performed them with his brothers when Yeshua sent them out two by two.

Then He pours water into a basin. He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel wrapped around Him. (vs. 5, TLV)

Yeshua washed His disciples’ feet, including the one who would betray Him. He didn’t skip over Judas to send a message to the others that this man was outside their fellowship. Did Jesus do it in the hopes that Judas would change his mind. Doubtful. Yeshua already knew—from the beginning—who the betrayer was. So, why?

“I have given you an example—you should do for each other what I have done for you. Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn’t greater than his master, and the one who is sent isn’t greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them!” (vss. 15-17, TLV)

Because even though Jesus was Master, He was also sent by His Heavenly Father as a servant. To do His Father’s bidding. Even Him. He set a precedent of service, even before His enemies.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (vs. 35, TLV)]

So, the context of this “new” commandment is that we don’t get to choose who we love with GOD’s love. We love because He first loved us. Likewise, we serve because He first served us. And sometimes, we don’t have a choice who we serve—who is worthy and who isn’t. As the Father’s redeemed children, we love and serve because that is what His Son commanded and did for us.

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas and Shabbat Shalom!