JOHN 13:1 – Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
Today’s scripture begins the section in our Bibles known as “The Upper Room Discourse.” It is the last time Jesus will be with His disciples before His mock trail, near death causing scourging, and His humiliating death on a cross. From John 13 through 16, we are given an in-depth look at the heart of our Savior as He interacts with His disciples. If we are being plagued by doubts of God’s love, immerse ourselves in this section of John’s gospel. It overflows with love from our Lord, a love that will lighten any darkened heart, a love that strengthens the weary soul, and a love that proves sufficient for every season of trial and suffering.
When we ponder the love of Christ, and ponder we should often, we are transformed. The Apostle Paul would tell us the process of maturing into the image of Christ – And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Part of that glory is the spiritual illumination of Christ’s love to the heart of the beholding child of God. And what would that love look like? Here are the defining elements in Christ’s love to us – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). How wonderful is such love for us!!! But there is still more about Christ’s love for us. It is in today’s scripture.
The Apostle John writes of Jesus’ love, “He loved them to the end.” What does “to the end” mean? Some believe it refers to the end of Jesus’ earthly life. True, but not the answer. Others believe it refers to the death of the disciples. True, but not the answer. The words literally mean “to perfection, completeness” and signifies that Jesus loves His people with the fullest measure possible. And what is that? Limitless. What the Apostle Paul wrote of Christ’s love is measured in the immeasurable – no limits of height, depth, width or breadth – For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:14-19).
Yes, indeed, He loves us. And oh, how He loves us – to the fullest extent possible! Rejoice, we are loved.
PRAYER: “Lord, no words from me are adequate to describe my thankful heart for Your amazing love.”
QUOTE: “Seek to know and experience more of Christ’s love if we long to love Him more. His love fuels ours.”