John Chapter 13
Hi Ladies
Here we have love in action in a big way.
John says, “Jesus now showed the disciples the full extent of His love” – – He shows us too.
Jesus shows us what His kind of love is like. It is a kneeling down on the ground, washing the dirt and grime off His friends feet sort of love, a cleansing, humble, servant like love – like what He goes on to do on the Cross – but of this act He says – this is the bit you do – do what I have done – wash each others feet – be each others humble servants – love each other – this sort of love – this laying down of your life type of love – it doesn’t really make sense in the natural order of things (v15&16) but go and do it because this is why I came and this is how people will know that you belong to me. (v 35) Amazing.
How well He knows us- He knows that we tend to think of ourselves first and that we can be selfish and greedy, that we can whinge and gripe at each other, point out each others faults, think we are better than the other, He knows we can get all full of ourselves and our own stuff and – – – He knows we need to get over ourselves and out of our own way in order to find Him and really find ourselves. So He implores us to love.
Jesus knows this as well – it isn’t always easy – loving people can be hard – so He went first. Jesus went ahead and washed His disciples feet even though He knew one of His own closest friends was about to betray Him and another was about to deny he even knew Him. Feeling the hurt and sting of betrayal – He loved anyway – He knew his purpose, He had come to earth to love people and show God’s love – He wants us to do the same. It’s part of our purpose.
And this – we are not left empty while others are full, we don’t have to be scared that we will get lost in the mix- He says “You know these things – now do them! That is the path of blessing” v17 – – CS Lewis puts it this way in his book “Mere Christianity”
Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.”
God Bless and have a beautiful day!!
Lv Tracey xx