Radical discipleship.
In John 13, Jesus tells his disciples that he is giving them a new commandment—that they should love one another. What is new about this commandment? After all, isn’t the instruction to love our neighbor included in the Old Testament teaching? In fact, love for God and others was the whole summary of the law (see Mark 12). The newness Jesus was eluding to is the radical nature of how we are to love. What was new were the words; just as I have loved you. These 6 words are my constant struggle. My notions of what it means to love others and to forgive and to serve and to show compassion seem both reasonable and doable until I am faced with the call to follow Jesus example. His is a radical discipleship. His love is rooted in a redemptive love that requires something beyond myself. His forgiveness is an immeasurable grace demonstrated in the cross all of which is so foreign to my way of thinking.
Reread the contrast of Jesus prediction of the betrayal of Judas and the denial of Peter. Neither sin was beyond the grace of God, but the response of Judas and Peter following their sin turned on the application of God’s grace and love upon their own life. Only to the extent we experience the unconditional love of God in our own life, are we able to love others in this new way. Only to the depth we have known the forgiveness of God in our own life are we enabled to forgive others that same way.
Extensions of God's love and forgiveness to others can only come from a heart where the truth and experience of his grace have been knit together. It was W. H. Auden who said “In the deserts of the heart, let the healing fountain start.” Only as we allow God’s love and grace to permeate our own life are we then able to love and forgive and serve in this new way; just as I have.
I so much agree with what you said about those 6 words. Although they are so difficult to live out, they are a great necklace to wear as a reminder for my purpose. Every time I start to get angry, frustrated, annoyed, or disgruntled, I remember the 6 words; the conviction is strong and beautiful.
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