As I was reading through the Scriptures tonight concerning Holy Week, I read with renewed interest 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.
The amazing love of Jesus overwhelms me again … and again!
Imagine the distress … he knew the hour … he knew his death … a brutal laying down of his life was just around the corner … and yet … he takes the time to demonstrate his love for his companions.
Jesus dines with the disciples. At some point in that evening, Jesus took his towel, a basin of water, and he washed the feet of each person – a tender, humbling event.
I can see Peter … no, Lord, you can’t wash my feet. Jesus says … if I can’t wash your feet you can’t be part of me. And immediately … Peter jumps up … wash all of me! You have to love that passion in Peter.
But again, Jesus gently reminds him … you are clean … just need to wash your feet … it’s about holiness, not cleanliness.
Jesus … no sense of stress, distress, worry, complaint … just tender love … patiently teaching, guiding, loving his own … to the very end.
Tho’ searching damps and many an envious flaw
Have marred this Work; the calm ethereal grace,
The love deep-seated in the Saviour’s face,
The mercy, goodness, have not failed to awe
The Elements; as they do melt and thaw
The heart of the Beholder and erase
(At least for one rapt moment) every trace
Of disobedience to the primal law.
The annunciation of the dreadful truth
Made to the Twelve, survives: lip, forehead, cheek,
And hand reposing on the board in ruth
Of what it utters, while the unguilty seek
Unquestionable meanings still bespeak
A labour worthy of eternal youth!
~W. Wordsworth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~ Romans 8:38-39
