Joshua Bennett
Jesus gave many commandments throughout the Gospels, some of which built upon the Ten Commandments from the Old Testament. One of the most well-known commandments of Jesus is to “love one another” as he has loved us. This commandment is often referred to as the new commandment and is seen as a way to prove our love for Christ and spread his message. While Jesus did not add to the Ten Commandments, he did emphasize certain commandments and altered the understanding of some, such as the commandment to observe the Sabbath.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesus altered the Sabbath commandment | "For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath" (Mt 12:8) |
| Jesus' commandments went beyond the Ten Commandments | Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44-45) |
| Jesus' commandments are not in numerical order | N/A |
| Jesus' commandments are not suggestions | "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15) |
| The greatest commandment | "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" |
| The second greatest commandment | "Love your neighbour as yourself" |
| The Sabbath commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments that can be altered | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
Jesus altered the commandment about observing the Sabbath
The Sabbath was observed by the Church that Jesus began in the first century, and it has been argued that Jesus altered the commandment about observing the Sabbath. It is said that Jesus exercised his sovereign power to abrogate the Sabbath law in some way. This is reflected in his statement, "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). Here, "Son of Man" and "Lord" refer to Christ's sovereign power.
The Sabbath commandment is the only one of the Ten Commandments that can be altered because it is a part of the ceremonial law, not the moral or natural law. The Roman Catechism, issued after the Council of Trent, teaches that the other commandments are precepts of the natural law and are obligatory at all times. The observance of the Sabbath was to be abrogated at the death of Christ, along with the other Hebrew rites and ceremonies.
However, it is important to note that Jesus did observe the Sabbath. It is undisputed among Bible scholars that he kept the Sabbath on the seventh day, as was customary for him, both as a young boy and during his ministry. He also preached on the Sabbath. Additionally, the Apostles and the Church of God continued to observe the Sabbath, even in the face of persecution.
Jesus taught a stricter application of the Law and fulfilled the Law by obeying it perfectly and completing the sacrificial system. He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). His pronouncement, "It is finished," signified the completion and fulfillment of the law.
Jesus gave commands that went beyond the Ten Commandments, some new and some from the Old Testament. These commands are not suggestions but imperative statements. For example, he commands believers to repent, reflecting that the kingdom of heaven is within reach with the appearance of Jesus Christ, the King. Another command is to love one another as Christ loves us, which includes not gossiping about others, being servants to others, and putting others ahead of our interests. This kind of love draws people to Christ and is reflected in our obedience to Him.
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Jesus' commandments are not in numerical order
Jesus gave several commandments, some new and some from the Old Testament. These commandments are not numbered and are distinct from the Ten Commandments, which are numbered differently by different Christian denominations.
Jesus' commandments include:
- "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17)
- "Ye must be born again" (John 3:7)
- "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34)
- "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33)
- "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1-2)
- "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces" (Matthew 7:6)
- "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)
Jesus also summarised the Ten Commandments into two "great commandments":
- "The first is this: Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength."
- "The second is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these."
Jesus also commanded his followers to love one another as he loves them, to love their enemies, and to pray for those who persecute them.
While Jesus did not add a commandment, he did alter the commandment about observing the Sabbath, exercising his sovereign power to abrogate the Sabbath law.
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Jesus' commandments are greater than the Ten Commandments
Jesus gave new commandments that went beyond the Ten Commandments, some new and some from the Old Testament. These commandments were not ten suggestions but imperative commands. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).
Jesus also raised the bar of faith by fulfilling the requirements of the Old Testament Law and qualifying to die in the place of all who would accept Him as their Savior. This means that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Jesus' commandments are, therefore, a reflection of his perfect love and sacrifice for humanity.
Furthermore, Jesus exercised his sovereign power to alter the Sabbath law, which is one of the Ten Commandments. In Matthew 12:8, Jesus states, "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath," indicating his authority to change this particular commandment.
Jesus' commandments also emphasize the importance of love and forgiveness. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these" (Matthew 22:36-40). By summarizing the commandments as love for God and love for one another, Jesus is highlighting the centrality of love in his teachings.
In conclusion, Jesus' commandments are greater than the Ten Commandments because they require a deeper level of faith, love, and obedience. They reflect Jesus' perfect love and sacrifice for humanity, and they raise the standard of moral conduct by challenging followers to love their enemies and forgive those who have wronged them. Additional commandments from Jesus include "do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matthew 6:34), "do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Matthew 7:1-2), and "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand".
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Jesus' commandments are challenging to fulfil
Jesus's commandments are challenging to fulfil because they require a deep spiritual transformation and a commitment to living a life that reflects God's love and compassion. While Jesus did not add a new commandment, he built upon the existing ones and urged his followers to go beyond mere external observance.
One of Jesus's most challenging commandments is to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This command goes against our natural instincts and requires us to emulate God's unconditional love. It is so challenging that Jesus acknowledges that it is impossible without the Holy Spirit (Matthew 19:26). Similarly, Jesus calls his disciples to be servants of others, putting others' interests ahead of their own (Matthew 20:26-28). This commandment challenges our self-centred tendencies and requires us to adopt a posture of humility and self-sacrifice.
Another challenging aspect of Jesus's commandments is their situational nature. They often require interpretation and application in specific contexts, which can be difficult. For example, Jesus instructs his followers to "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). This commandment calls for Christians to live out their faith authentically and visibly, which can be challenging in a world where faith is increasingly privatised or marginalised.
Jesus's commandment to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17) is also demanding. It requires a recognition of our sinfulness and a willingness to turn away from our old ways. True repentance involves a transformation of our hearts and minds, which can be a lifelong journey. Additionally, Jesus's command to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48) sets an incredibly high standard of holiness and righteousness that seems impossible to attain.
Furthermore, Jesus's commandment to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37) is challenging because it demands that we make God the centre of our lives and seek to align our thoughts, words, and actions with His will. This involves a constant battle against our sinful nature and the distractions of the world.
Lastly, Jesus's alteration of the Sabbath commandment (Matthew 12:8) caused controversy. While he did not abolish the commandment, he asserted his authority over it, stating that he is "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28). This challenged the traditional understanding of the Sabbath rest and required a shift in perspective, as Jesus prioritised people's needs over strict adherence to ritual law.
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Jesus' commandments are not suggestions
Jesus's commandments are not suggestions. They are imperative commands that believers are expected to follow. Jesus himself said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15). This means that our love for Christ is reflected in our obedience to Him. If we do not love Him, we will not obey Him.
Jesus gave us commands that went beyond the Ten Commandments, some new and some from the Old Testament. For example, Jesus commanded us to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). This is the only command that is directed to those who are not yet saved. It is a direct and imperative statement, with no room for rationalization.
Jesus also gave us a new commandment: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. By this, all will know that you are my disciples" (John 13:34-35). This commandment challenges us to love others as God loves us, which is only possible through the Holy Spirit.
In addition, Jesus commanded us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Matthew 22:37). This is often referred to as the "first and greatest commandment" (Matthew 22:38). The second commandment, which is like it, is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39).
Jesus's commandments are not mere suggestions but are essential for our spiritual growth and our relationship with God. They are a reflection of His loving heart and His desire for us to love Him and others. By following His commandments, we can draw closer to God and become more like Christ.
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