I have often stated that there is nothing “new” in the New Covenant writings, yet it has been pointed out to me that Yeshua gave a new commandment in John 13:34-35.
But was that commandment for everyone?
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Let’s see exactly what Yeshua said (CJB):
I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other.
Now, this was not Yeshua talking to a crowd or giving a drash at a synagogue. He was with his inner circle at that last Seder he was to enjoy before undergoing his trial and crucifixion. There were only eleven of his disciples there with him, as Judas had already left.
You can say this commandment was new, in a way, but not that new since the general meaning of it was given way back when, in Leviticus 19:18.
I believe the true meaning of this “commandment” was that Yeshua wanted these 11 men to show the same forgiveness and appreciation for all people, just as Yeshua had shown to them, and that they should continually support each other and work together for the common goal of spreading the truth about the Torah’s real meanings which is the “good news” that saves lives.
This commandment was not meant for anyone other than his disciples.
In that respect, I maintain that there are no new commandments in the New Covenant writings; this one commandment is not like the ones in the Tanakh where the commandments from God are meant for everyone- NOT JUST FOR JEWS– but for everyone who professes to believe Yeshua is the Messiah and who worships the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
God chose the Jewish people to be his nation of priests to the world (Exodus 19:6), and Yeshua to be the high priest, in the same way as Melchizedek (Hebrews 7). Yeshua never spoke against his father or any of his father’s commandments, but rather obeyed them perfectly (which is why he was able to be an acceptable sacrifice for sin).
And, as such, with Yeshua being our Cohen HaGadol (High Priest), it is up to each and every one of us to do as he did.
That means to obey his father, God, as best as we can, and what God wants us to do is to obey his commandments in the Torah.
Even if you have been taught (or I should say, misled) that the Torah is just for Jews, think about this: God chose the Jews and has stated throughout the Tanakh that the Jews are the apple of his eye and that he will never completely abandon or reject us, and he gave us the Torah so we could learn how to live this life so that when we die we can be in God’s presence forever.
(With me so far?)
So, nu?… if God told the Jewish people how to live so we can be with him forever, what is so wrong about Gentiles doing what God wants his beloved children to do?
I mean, the Torah is God’s User Manual for Righteousness, so why does Christianity teach that it is wrong for Gentiles to obey the Torah? How can doing what God says to do ever be wrong?
Even if you believe you do not have to obey the Torah (which you might find out at Judgement Day probably won’t go over well with God), what can it hurt to do what God told those whom he loves and wants to be with him forever to do?
Thank you for being here and please remember to comment and share these messages with everyone you know, even non-believers, Hey, after all, you never know how fertile the soil is until you plant a seed in it.
That’s it for today, so l’hitraot and Baruch HaShem!