The Greatest Example

We often quote Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s not a bad standard to reach for; even Jesus repeated it (see Matthew 22:39 and elsewhere). But in John 13:34, as Bible scholar Dr. Harry Wendt points out, Jesus changes the wording slightly but crucially: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (ESV).

Perhaps during his time on earth, Jesus realized humans don’t actually love ourselves very much or very well. So using self-love as the bar by which to measure neighbor-love might be ineffective. Although we may act self-enamored and self-impressed, it’s often just a cover for inner feelings of self-loathing and self-doubt.

After washing his disciples’ feet and before sacrificing his very life for them (and us), Jesus changes the wording — and the example that will lead us: “Love one another not as you love you, but as I love you.” Unconditionally. Unreservedly. Wholeheartedly. Unto death. And into life everlasting.