A New Commandment (WOV 664)
Devotion
A new commandment I give unto you,
that you love one another as I have loved you,
that you love one another as I have loved you.
By this shall people know you are my disciples,
if you have love one for another;
by this shall people know you are my disciples:
if you have love one for another.
Text: John 13:34-35
Earlier this week we heard how Paul and Timothy gave thanks for Epaphras's work proclaiming the gospel. We don't really know anything else about this Epaphras. Colossae was not considered an important place, even in the early church. Yet we know the name of Epaphras as a proclaimer of the good news, whose work moved the Colossians to discipleship in works of love.
The new commandment we are given is not a transactional recipe for material gain. Our devotion to God is not because we imagine a divine vending machine of blessings. Instead our devotion and discipleship reflect God's steadfast love for us and for all. We are called to love those the world would rather not see—those who are excluded because of their race, gender, sexuality, income, legal status, physical or mental ability, illness, disability, etc. We love one another, regardless of our social position, and trust that in that love others will see that we, like Epaphras, are disciples.
Prayer
Sustaining God, we give you thanks for all who have lived as disciples and in so doing proclaimed the good news to us in word and deed. Strengthen our faith so we might, like Epaphras, one day be remembered as those known as your disciples because we showed love for one another. In your steadfast love. Amen.