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11/02/12. John 13:1-17. THE FULL EXTENT OF HIS LOVE-my devotional

11/02/12. John 13:1-17. THE FULL EXTENT OF HIS LOVE-my devotional

John 13:1-17                                                                                       Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

Key Verse: 13:1                                                                                  11/2/12

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

       Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for being our shepherd throughout our lives and beyond. Thank you for protecting our family and providing for our needs both physically and spiritually. Help all of us to mature in faith and grow in the image of God and in our joy and capacity to love others. Guide all of my kids to make deep, personal decisions to accept your love and to love God with all of their hearts, minds and souls. I pray for the fall conference at DuPage UBF. Help us to learn what it means to be thankful to God. Help me to deliver a message on this passage. Illumine my heart with your word today. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: Jesus Washed Their Feet (1-5)

Verses 1-5, “It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Jesus knew that he was soon to be crucified. He knew his disciples’ weaknesses. He loved them to the end. This means that he loved them unconditionally. He loved them even though it was difficult at times. For example Jesus knew that Judas would betray him to death. He also knew that Peter would deny him three times. He also knew that almost all of the disciples would flee in the face of his passion. How can Jesus love them to the end? That means he loved them to the end of his time on earth. He loved that despite of their sins and weaknesses. He loved them completely, with 100% of his heart.

Jesus loved me “to the end.” He loved me despite of my sins. He loved me even though I was subconsciously using family members in an attempt to build up my ministry. He loved be despite of my anger, depression, judging, criticizing and negativity. He is not there to judge and criticize my every move. He is not pouncing on me with every bad habit and every mistake I make. He is patiently guiding my heart with his shepherd’s staff. He will love me throughout my pilgrimage on earth. He will love me throughout eternity, for there is no end to eternity. God’s love is limitless.

Jesus wanted his disciples to accept his saving love and to love one another. But how must we do this? As they ate this last meal together, he was troubled. He was Almighty God, but he got up from the table, laid aside his clothes, wrapped a towel around him like a slave, and began to wash their feet.

I need to reflect this love to others. I need to love those, “To the end” like Jesus is loving me. That means no more judging and criticizing. That means no more poking and prodding others because their sins and weaknesses. That means loving and accepting others unconditionally throughout my entire lifetime while living in this world. It starts with my family, my wife and my kids. It overflows to those whom God has called me to mentor. It means I must love those I work with. I need to love others around me to the end. Since I am getting involved in the strategizing for sending missionaries to the First Nations People in NW Ontario, I must love the First Nations people as Jesus has loved me.

Though it is true that I must love all people, Jesus told his disciples to love one another. That means we Christians are called to love other Christians, in particular other Christians whom we are called to serve the Lord with. (like the disciples.) Sometimes it is hardest to love the people closest to us as we serve our Lord Jesus. I need to love the people in UBF and the people at KBC. I thank God for the opportunity to love our brethren at DuPage UBF with the upcoming Fall Bible School.

I also learn that Jesus took the very role of a servant. He humbled himself to humbly serve others. He also washed his disciples’ feet. It is very intimate to wash someone’s’ feet. They may smell. They may have fungal infections, athlete’s foot, and toe jam. But Jesus humbly embraced their dirty feet and washed them, even between the toes. This is love.

Love is an action word. Love is not just feelings or good intentions. It is action. It can also be unpleasant. It can be a humbling experience. But we need to love as Jesus loved. I can love my wife and kids by humbly serving them, overlooking any weaknesses and serving their needs. It must be practical. May God help me to be like Jesus to those close to me.

Part 2: Not My Feet! (6-17)

Verses 6-17, “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Simon Peter loved Jesus in his own way. He refused to let Jesus wash his feet. His apparent humbleness covered his stubborn pride. He had his own idea about what the Messiah should do and it did not involve washing others’ feet. Peter needed to cast aside his fixed ideas. He also did not want to expose his own labor worn feet, full of odor and imperfections. This is likened to a person who does not want to confess his sins or come to Jesus just as they are..sins, weaknesses and all. It is also involves his own fears, that if he continues to follow Jesus he will have to take the position of a servant and love and serve others as Jesus. There are so many reasons why Peter refused to have Jesus wash his feet.

But according to this passage, we must accept Jesus’ serving and cleansing or we have no part in him. We must accept Jesus as the Messiah the way that he came, not in the way we think he should be. We need to confess our sins and come to Jesus just as we are, sins and all. And we must never shrink back from the call of God to a humble servant of all. We must come to Jesus, casting every shred of self righteousness and admit that we are dirty because of our sins and in a desperate need of a wash.

When Peter heard this, he immediately repented. He had already been washed clean by Jesus’ word, which he had received in his heart (Jn 6:68,69; 15:3). He needed only to have his feet washed. We need repentance and Jesus’ cleansing every day for we are walking in this world filled with many sins and temptations. But those who are born again and who have a personal relationship with Jesus need only wash their feet. I wash my feet by trying to meditate on daily bread each day and coming to Jesus in faith and repentance. I receive his forgiveness newly each day. This keeps me strong in the grace of God.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse me and rule my heart. Help me to wash the feet of my brothers and sisters, as you commanded.

One Word: Love others as Jesus loved me

 

 




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