Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end – John 13:1
Many poems, songs, books, and movies have been written about true love. Jesus defines it. On the eve of his own torture and death, knowing that of the twelve men in the room with him, one will betray him, one will deny him, and they all will desert him, Jesus stoops and does the work of a slave by washing their feet, as described in the subsequent verses. He loves them to the end. He shows them the full extent of love. We had better pay attention if we want to know what love is! As John tells his Spirit-inspired story of Jesus, he doesn't leave it to our sense of discernment to pick up on the message. If we want to know about true love, we should watch and listen to Jesus in verses that follow in John 13 because these verses have a very significant demonstration of Jesus' love.
Lord, plant me so I will bear the fruit of Your Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law
John 15:8
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Isaiah 41:10-11
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”
Not only does God's blessing rest on us, his presence goes with us. We cannot ever be in a place where he is not with us (see Psalm 139). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in our physical bodies or our physical worlds, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness in Jesus. Even Jesus' doubters and enemies will worship our Lord and kneel at his feet and will recognize that our faith is not only appropriate, but it is victorious (cf. 1 Thess. 1).
[Message No: 6765]
Many poems, songs, books, and movies have been written about true love. Jesus defines it. On the eve of his own torture and death, knowing that of the twelve men in the room with him, one will betray him, one will deny him, and they all will desert him, Jesus stoops and does the work of a slave by washing their feet, as described in the subsequent verses. He loves them to the end. He shows them the full extent of love. We had better pay attention if we want to know what love is! As John tells his Spirit-inspired story of Jesus, he doesn't leave it to our sense of discernment to pick up on the message. If we want to know about true love, we should watch and listen to Jesus in verses that follow in John 13 because these verses have a very significant demonstration of Jesus' love.
Lord, plant me so I will bear the fruit of Your Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law
John 15:8
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
Isaiah 41:10-11
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.”
Not only does God's blessing rest on us, his presence goes with us. We cannot ever be in a place where he is not with us (see Psalm 139). His presence and power will uphold us and strengthen us. No matter what may happen in our physical bodies or our physical worlds, God has given us the ultimate triumph over every enemy and all wickedness in Jesus. Even Jesus' doubters and enemies will worship our Lord and kneel at his feet and will recognize that our faith is not only appropriate, but it is victorious (cf. 1 Thess. 1).
[Message No: 6765]
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