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176
S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
and including, the last supper. It was Christ’s desire to leave to
His disciples an ordinance that would do for them the very thing
they needed—that would serve to disentangle them from the rites
and ceremonies which they had hitherto engaged in as essential,
and which the reception of the gospel made no longer of any force.
[1140]
To continue these rites would be an insult to Jehovah. Eating of
the body, and drinking of the blood, of Christ, not merely at the
sacramental service, but daily partaking of the bread of life to satisfy
the soul’s hunger, would be in receiving His Word and doing His
will (
The Review and Herald, June 14, 1898
).
34 (see
EGW comment on 1 John 3:16-18
). A New Concep-
tion of Love
—Why was this called “a new commandment”? The
disciples had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. They
had not yet seen the fullness of the love that He was to reveal in
man’s behalf. They were yet to see Him dying on the cross for
their sins. Through His life and death they were to receive a new
conception of love. The command to “love one another” was to
gain a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice. In the light
shining from the cross of Calvary they were to read the meaning of
the words, “As I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (
The
Review and Herald, June 30, 1910
).
To Reveal Especially Tender Love
—[
John 13:34, 35
quoted.]
Why should this commandment be new to the disciples? The words,
“As I have loved you” were yet to be fulfilled by the offering He was
about to make for the sins of the world. As Christ had loved them,
the disciples were to love one another. They were to show forth
the love abiding in their hearts for men, women, and children, by
doing all in their power for their salvation. But they were to reveal
a specially tender love for all of the same faith (
Manuscript 160,
1898
).
(
John 15:12
;
James 3:17
.) Love Is a Permanent Power
—
Jesus says, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” Love is not
simply an impulse, a transitory emotion, dependent upon circum-
stances; it is a living principle, a permanent power. The soul is fed
by the streams of pure love that flow from the heart of Christ, as a
well-spring that never fails. O, how is the heart quickened, how are
its motives ennobled, its affections deepened, by this communion!
Under the education and discipline of the Holy Spirit, the children of