John 13:1b …having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
The idea that I am in the center of God’s kindness (see yesterday’s reflection) is still resonating with me, rattling around in my mind. And then today, my precious Savior brings me to this poignant scene of love and kindness. At this point, Jesus knew that not only would Judas betray Him but that all of His disciples would deny Him at the end. He KNEW it.
John 13:2-3a During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot…to betray Him, Jesus, knowing….
Jesus could have washed His hands of the whole lot of them and simply walked away, but He knew the importance, the magnitude of what He was being called to do, so instead of washing His hands of this crowd of cowardly traitors, He loves them to the end and shows them His love by serving them through washing their feet—a dirty, lowly job. THAT’s the center of God’s kindness.
John 13:3b-4 …that the Father has given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your compassionate act of service. The magnitude of Your love and kindness is truly difficult for me to grasp at times, Lord. I can be so quick to judge, so quick to turn my back on someone whom I feel has wronged or betrayed me. I feel like You are calling me instead to service that helps others, all others, see the center of Your kindness in their lives. Help me to understand what this call means, Lord. Use me in Your service. Draw me closer. Amen.
John 13:7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.