John 13:1b
Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The cross was only a day away. After three years of doing ministry together, Jesus decided to give His disciples a meaningful farewell (Jn. 13-17). The night before He went to the cross, Jesus displayed to His disciples a memorable act of humbleness by washing their feet, extending them grace, and by teaching them significant lessons on the implications of being followers of Him. Finally, as the night progressed, Jesus prayed for them. In the apostle John’s words, “He loved His own to the end”.
Jesus loved His disciples with the love that He experienced and shared throughout eternity within the community of the Triune God (1 Jn. 4:8). When Jesus came into the world, He displayed this kind of love so that those who would believe in Him would join Him by receiving eternal life (Jn. 3:16). In other words, in Jesus, God was inviting the disciples, and the whole world, to participate in His community of love. But, unfortunately, not everyone has said yes to our Lord’s invitation. Many people, like Judas, have rejected it because they have preferred to live in the darkness of the night (Jn. 13:30b). But despite the rejection of many, Jesus has loved His own to the fullest extent assuring them that nothing and no one will ever be able to separate them from His love (Rom. 8:35).
If you are one of them; if you are part of the ones whom Jesus has loved to the end, I would like to encourage you to rejoice in the truth that nothing would separate you from His love, and to reflect His light to those around you (1 Jn. 2:9-10)! Have a blessed day!
Pastor Esteban Tapia