1963) When I was young and growing up in church, I would listen to things the adults were “concerned” with, such as what color the new carpet or choir robes should be, and I’d shake my head. I was amazed that some people were getting so fired up over a proposal to change something that had been established for years. After all, my young mind reasoned, you change it and get used to it.  

Now that I am old (much older), I understand this a little better. Change is harder for me now, especially concerning ideas that have rooted in my soul.  

When Jesus walked this earth, he often said and commanded his followers to do something “new” and, for many, these things were a difficult change. He said his teachings should not be put into old wineskins. (Matthew 9:14–17) They did not “fit” the mold of the status quo.  

John 13:34 is another change that would have been hard to swallow in Bible times and is now. Here, Jesus tells us that he has a new command; one that is not specific to Jewish law and the 10 Commandments. He says to love one another as I have loved you.  

The word for new here in the Greek is kainos, which translates as different from the usual, better than the old, or unprecedented. (biblehub.com) The old Law’s purpose was to show us where we fall short of God so we would be motivated to reach out and take God’s redemption. This new law instructs how we’re to live in this redemption.  

Dare to think about and embrace this new. Change is rarely easy.