OHAZURUME - Unizik Journal of Culture and Civilization

This work is titled, “The Mandatum Novum of John 13:31-35: Implications for of the Decalogue and foundation of the Christian teaching. Obedience to this command, shows that adherents of the faith, are indeed what they profess they are. However, it is observed that love which is a binding cord and unifying virtue appears to have been misconstrued, misinterpreted and relegated to mere verbal expressions, regrettably among the priests who by their calling and vocation, are looked upon as models and vanguards of the Christian faith. Thus, there is evidence of greed/quest for materialism, envy and pride, ethnic bias and jealousy, conflicts, showmanship etc within the priesthood. This has in no small measure, affected the body of Christ. In the Farewell Discourse, the writer of the fourth gospel encapsulates Jesus’ command thus: evntolh.n kainh.n di,dwmi u`mi/n( i[na avgapa/te avllh,louj( kaqw.j hvga,phsa u`ma/j i[na kai. u`mei/j avgapa/te avllh,loujÅ evn tou,tw| gnw,sontai pa,ntej o[ti evmoi. maqhtai, evste( eva.n avgaphn e;chte evn avllh,loij (A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you love one another. By this, all will know that you are my disciples if you have love, one to another). These called for a critical analysis into the text and the researcher observes that if followers of the Christian faith truly love the Lord of the Church, they should as well, have love for them-selves as an authentication of who they are. With the tools of exegetical interpretations and the consultation of previous research documents, this research proffers that a proper understanding and hermeneutical application of the exegetical text, John 13:31-35, will serve as a lasting panacea to the problems as presented. This research therefore, recommends a quick return to proper application of Jesus’ command to love another. It will re-position the church to its place and make for a better society thereby encouraging mutual existence and happy interaction.

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