Just as I have loved you

By: Carole L. Haines

²¹ Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, ²² for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well. (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22)

Misunderstood, we all know what it means to be misunderstood. Relationships are not clean and easy; they can be messy and difficult sometimes. These two verses have been life changing for me. God brings them to my mind so often when I am struggling in a relationship and feel misunderstood. I just had a sister in Christ speak viciously to me. Her words cut deep. It was a complete shock. But you know what, I know it came from a wounded area within her. Before we parted that day, I had already forgiven her in my heart, because of understanding this truth. We all have sore spots, tender and wounded areas where we are especially sensitive. This is why Jesus commands us to love one another.

³⁴ I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

These two verses have been life changing for me. God brings them to my mind so often, when I am struggling in a relationship, or when I am misunderstood. When I looked up this phrase in the concordance, I was really surprised to see that it is never used in the Old Testament, not even in the beautiful Book of Psalms. Truly, Jesus was giving us a new commandment. Only the Gospel of John uses this phrase, at least in the NASB version. It is spoken by Jesus four times. Twice in John 13 and twice in John 15. Interestingly, these are both found within the context of what is referred to as “The Farewell Discourse.”

“In these last words we hear, as one has said, ‘The voice of Jesus prolonged through all ages, as fresh to-day…as it was then in the upper room in Jerusalem.’ It has a voice intensely human in its tones of sympathy and affection; yet in revelation and authority no less distinctly divine.”
(Hamilton Smith)
Here is the link to the quote is you wish to study further.

(The Last Words – An Exposition of Chapters 13 to 17 of the Gospel of John :: Hamilton Smith)

This command of Jesus is overwhelming to absorb, especially because He accentuates it with, “just as I have loved you.” How can we possibly love each other as He loves us? Only He can enable us to do this. When I am hurt by an unbeliever, it’s easier for me to forgive them, because I know they don’t have Jesus. But when a believer attacks us, we must lean in deeper to Jesus and His Spirit because it’s more of a shock. But He enables us to forgive by the power of His love and Spirit. Only He can enable us to love others as He loves us, and He will enable you, Dear Believer. He will fill you with His own love and grace.