Reflecting on John 13:1-5“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)
Jesus had a special love for those He spent time with while on earth.
The phrase ‘loved them to the end’ does not capture what the original Greek says.
The word ‘telos’ means the ultimate goal or purpose, not just the end of a time period.
It suggests completion or fullness, as in: ‘he loved them fully, completely!’
It isn’t about how long He loved them, it is about how much He loved them.
The previous NIV version interpreted this, ‘He showed them the full extent of His love’.
In the story that follows, we see Jesus performing the servant role of foot washer.
When we see Jesus, we see God; God is the servant, kneeling before His loved ones.
Again and again Jesus stresses the humble, gracious compassion of God.
Even Judas’s feet are washed, even though Jesus knew he would betray Him.
Who are the sinners that the church is challenging, accusing, separating from?
How is the church ‘washing the feet’ of these sinners, like Jesus did?
What self-humbling, other blessing actions are they performing for ‘sinners’.
If we claim to follow Jesus, and to love like God loves, THIS is what should happen.
It is time for the church to show the full extent of God’s love, like Jesus did!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, humility, grace and compassion are the marks of the true church, not preaching, sacraments and discipline. If the church shows love this way, the true message will be preached, the sacraments will be a blessing, and people will be discipled in love! May they know we are Your followers by our love!