August 25, 2022 - John13-16

Chapter 13 begins, “Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (13:1). The love of Christ! The Shepherd loves the sheep, and he just keeps on loving us! And he then washed their feet.

At the meal, as Jesus was eating with his disciples, Peter assured Jesus that he would stay with the Savior through thick and thin. Nope. Jesus told Peter about his upcoming denial, and yet, Jesus continued to love Peter. How sure is Jesus’ love toward his disciples, toward us, even when we do not love him as we should! Furthermore, Jesus teaches his disciples: “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends” (15:12,13). Jesus has laid down his life for us, demonstrating his great love for us!

It was grace in Christ that called me,

taught my darkened heart and mind;

else the world had yet enthralled me,

to your heav’nly glories blind.

Now I worship none above you;

for your grace alone I thirst,

knowing well that, if I love you,

you, O Father, loved me first. -- Josiah Conder (1836)