LOVE TO THE END
Read: John 13:1-17

At the beginning of today’s passage, John includes a simple statement that has profound implications for the people present at this final passover meal. The end of John 13:1 says “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

He loved them fully; they were his own. He loved them all the way; to the very end.

How great is the Father’s love for us!

And then before the meal begins, Jesus displays his love in the form of a physical practice, washing the disciples feet. Feet washing in biblical times was standard practice but usually reserved for lowly house servants. It was not customary for friends to wash each others feet except very rarely and as a mark of great love. The humble, sacrificial nature of Christ’s character isn’t first revealed on the cross. It’s modeled through his entire life and ministry.

Jesus loves his people as his own. He loves them to the very end and so he fills a basin with water, wraps a towel around his waist, and lowers himself to the station of a servant. With one simple act he gives his followers a glimpse of the kingdom of God and then, even more miraculously, invites them to participate.

It’s so striking that this moment is not just a show of Jesus’s humility and love, but an invitation to lead by example. Jesus say’s - You call me teacher and Lord, and you’re right, that’s who I am. So if my love for you is humble and sacrificial, surely your love for each other should be the same.

Jesus always knows what we need before we need it. He knew his friends and followers were going to need to cling to each other. He knew that gospel would only advance through love and a genuine representation of who Christ is. And he knows that even today, as his friends and followers, we need to be encouraged to love and serve each other. It makes us more like Jesus. It draws us into his character. And it’s often how we get through the messy parts of life.

Reflection Question
Who is someone in your life this week that you could show the love of Christ to. What is one small (or big) way that you can serve them with love and humility?

Prayer Prompt
Jesus invites us to do for others as he has done for us. Today, ask God to give you an awareness to the people around you. Pray with bold expectation that he would inspire you to moments of love and humility. Pray that his posture of service would resonate in your heart as we continue to meet with him through Holy Week.