John Chapter 13 – O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
Even after having read through it several times and spending more time pondering over this chapter, only two thoughts come to mind.
- Hymn 345 – O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
- If you knew exactly how (inclusive of the when, where and who) you would die, what would you say and do in the moments leading up to your end?
Jesus was very busy throughout His life / ministry, but I believe the full knowledge of His death was always at the back of His mind. His life on earth was in constant preparation for His death (one could also argue that the climax of His life was His death). Only because of His unexplainable love for us, regardless of His readiness to leave, Jesus still could not bear to do so. If there were any other options, I am sure Jesus would have chosen to tarry a while longer.
This chapter records Jesus’ final few deeds before His departure – wash each of His disciples’ feet, eat and drink with His disciples, convey clear instructions and forewarnings to His disciples.
Jesus set the standard and precedent for what it means to love and what it means to know the honour and privilege of being loved, especially by Him. Jesus, being God Himself, having known and loved us before we ever could, already gave us His word that He would love us completely, to the very end.
Jesus’ life, taking the form of that of a submissive servant, paired with His death, taking the form of that of a condemned criminal, truly boggles my mind and clearly proves the unequivocal extent of His love for us. What a blessing it is to have a God whose hand has never once faltered or shortened, who has given and continues to give His all to us.
Do we now, through Jesus’ eyes, see the value of our lives, how they are inextricably interwoven with God’s plan? God has shown us, with and in every possible permutation of series of events throughout history that He has never given up on us.
What about us? Can we wholeheartedly confirm that the course of our lives now takes the same shape as that of the footprints Jesus left behind? May God’s Holy Spirit guide and grant us the mercy and grace to marvel at and grasp the fullness of a life loving and being loved by Him.