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“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
Father’s name and reputation. (Matthew 6:9; John 17:1-6,
26) More than anything, Jesus wanted to see his Father’s
name cleared of the reproach that had been heaped upon
it. Jesus thus counted it the highest honor and privilege to
suffer for righteousness’ sake, for he knew that his integrity
would play a part in sanctifying his Father’s good and
beautiful name.—1 Chronicles 29:13.
9 Jesus had another motive for laying down his life—love
for humankind. This is a love that goes back to the very
beginning of human history. Long before Jesus came to
earth, the Bible reveals that he felt this way: “The things I
was fond of were with the sons of men.” (Proverbs 8:30,
31) His love was clearly evident when he was on earth.
As we saw in the preceding three chapters of this book,
in many ways Jesus showed his love for humans in general
and for his followers in particular. But on Nisan 14,
33 C.E., he willingly gave his soul in our behalf. (John 10:
11) Truly, there was no greater way for him to demonstrate
his love for us. Are we to imitate him in this regard?
Yes. In fact, we are commanded to do so.
“LoveOneAnother...asIHaveLovedYou”
10 The night before he died, Jesus told his closest disciples:
“I am giving you a new commandment, that you
love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also
love one another. By this all will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:
34, 35) “Love one another”—why is that “a new commandment”?
The Mosaic Law had already commanded:
“You must love your fellow [or, neighbor] as yourself.”
(Leviticus 19:18) But the new commandment calls for a
10, 11. What is the new commandment that Jesus gave his followers,
what does it involve, and why is it important that we obey it?