The “official” number for Americans this past year with “this” was 29,729,700. Roughly 9.1% of us have something in common. What is it? [insert final Jeopardy music here]. More than 29 million Americans have a “phobia,” and countless more with more than one! The “official” number of phobias would probably be higher if not for phobophobia — the fear of being afraid of something and talking about it!

Most phobias are fears of specific objects or situations that are usually harmless and not life-threatening. Some of the most common include fear of animals (dogs, snakes, mice), situations (flying) and natural events (storms). Making my most unusual list is ablutophobia (fear of bathing), which I wonder if my children have sometimes. And finally, there is arachibutyrophobia; people who have this phobia are afraid that peanut butter will stick to the roof of their mouth.

Fear not — this devotion is not a counseling session about phobias. But when I read today’s passage from John 13:31-35 — especially when Jesus said to them, “A new command I give you,” I couldn’t help but wonder if the Disciples had a little neophobia (fear of new things).

If you think about it, a lot of us have a fear of new things: new foods, new places, new relationships, new habits, and maybe even new spiritual routines that we might shy away from. We like comfortable, routine and even the same restaurants and vacation spots.

Jesus came to His Disciples in John 13, after three-plus years of following Him, and said, “I’ve got a NEW plan I want you to follow.” I’m sure they thought: What now? We’ve left our jobs and families and followed you for the past three years, and now you’re adding more rules to the game? What now, what’s NEW?

Jesus said to them, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

The specific Greek word Jesus used here for “new” implies a “new freshness, the opposite of the current outworn way; rather than recent; different.” The idea of getting along, dealing with and helping each other when possible/beneficial was already understood in the current Jewish culture — especially in, and to, fellow Jews. Jesus was getting ready to rock their world by taking “love one another” to a level never imaged.

His command to love one another wasn’t new. But the example and extent of His love that He would display on the cross gave “love” a new definition. His example of love for His Disciples and the whole world, was so radically fresh that it could only come from God the Father.

That’s why in verses 31 and 32 Jesus was so focused on “glorifying” the Father through His death on the cross. In two verses, Jesus made five references — “glorified … glorified … glorified … glorify … glorify” — that would be directed to both Jesus the Son, and God the Father, through His love displayed on the cross.

The cross shows to what extent the Father and Son love us! The world saw the cross as a humiliating way to die. Jesus spoke of His coming death as “glorification” knowing what would be accomplished through the cross. Mankind would now have a way to be rightly reconciled to God because of the love of Jesus shown on the cross.

As a side note, observe the tenderness that Jesus had for His Disciples when He addressed them as “little children” in verse 33. This is the only place in the Gospels where Jesus referred to His Disciples as “little children.” It wasn’t meant as an insult but was spoken with a sense of loving care to a group that was innocent, very confused and totally dependent on Him. By way of application, these adjectives can certainly describe us at times!

Jesus didn’t ask His Disciples just to love neighbors as they loved themselves — which could be very limiting and sometimes selfish. Jesus commanded that His Disciples, and us, love others as Christ loved us — which is totally new, radical and glorifying to God!

Jesus concluded His introduction to His “NEW COMMAND” by saying in verse 35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” He claimed that His followers would be marked by love for one another. We can know we are His disciples by our love for one another. Even the world should be able to identify us as followers of Jesus by our love for one another.

Putting neophobia aside, let’s not be afraid to love others like Jesus loved us. Doing so will radically destroy our normal comfort zones and safe boundaries. But without this bold step, the rest of the world will not see or experience the Jesus we are called to glorify. Because He first loved us with a cross-sized love, we too can love like Him!