The Final Three
Jesus commanded His disciples to go and make disciples, teaching them to observe all that He had commanded them. In a previous devotion, I covered two of the seven I am aware of. Today, we’ll look at two more.
Today, I will review Jesus’s final three important commands. These commands are incorporated into the New Covenant and are meant to be taught to those who come to know Christ Jesus as Lord.
5. Love One Another
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Loving one another is a pinnacle foundational kingdom value. It characterizes the citizens of His kingdom and sets them apart from those who are of this world. John would say in his epistles that if we fail to love our brothers in Christ, we are not of God. Love is a litmus test of sorts as to whether or not we are truly in Christ and growing.
6. Lord’s Supper
Luke 22:19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Some have concluded that every time believers come together, they should observe this privilege of communion. However, the wording Paul gives it “as often” implies that it was not every time they came together. There would have been a fairly decent frequency to it, but it is doubtful that it was practiced at every gathering. However, I will say it should not be ignored, nor should it be thought of as an insignificant command.
7. Give
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Mark 12:41 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans (means one-fourth. It was the lowest valued coin in all of Rome.) 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
This widow’s ability to give was not based on her abundance. It was rooted in her desire to share in the privilege of trusting God with her provision, which enabled her to give to the temple. Amazingly, she did not give from the place of her abundance but rather all she had to live on. The practice of giving was important enough to Jesus that He watched it taking place at the temple and even invited His disciples to watch and explain what was unfolding to them. Giving is still an important part of the New Covenant.
