Day 8

As I Have Loved You

Read: John 13

Then & There

Before anything happens, John sets the tone:

“Having loved His own who were in the world,

He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)

This is what fills the room.

Love.

Jesus knows who He is.

He knows where He came from.

He knows where He is going.

He knows what is about to unfold.

He is not a victim.

And He also knows something else.

He knows one of them will betray Him.

He knows another will deny Him.

Still… He stays.

He lays aside His garments,

takes a towel,

and begins to wash their feet.

This was the work of a servant.

Low.

Uncomfortable.

Easily overlooked.

When He comes to Peter, Peter resists:

“You shall never wash my feet.” (John 13:8)

It doesn’t make sense.

Not for Jesus.

Not for someone they believe is Lord.

But Jesus answers:

“If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8)

This moment is more than an example.

It is a picture.

Jesus came to cleanse what we could not cleanse ourselves.

Even those who would misunderstand Him.

Even those who would fail Him.

Even the one who would betray Him.

After He finishes, Jesus asks:

“Do you know what I have done for you?” (John 13:12)

Jesus is deeply troubled.

He names what is about to happen.

And in that moment…He hands the bread to Judas.

Not in ignorance.

Not by accident.

But knowing.

And Judas leaves.

And it is night.

Then Jesus says:

“As I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples”... (John 13:34-35)

Notice About God

God’s love does not withdraw in the presence of pain.

It does not pull back when it is misunderstood, rejected,

or even betrayed.

Jesus loves fully…

knowing exactly what is in the hearts of those around Him.

Here & Now Reflection

Many of us know what it feels like to be hurt by someone close.

To be misunderstood.

To be let down.

To be betrayed.

Jesus does not ignore that reality.

He steps right into it.

And in that place, He still chooses love.

Where might you be holding pain from someone who has hurt you?

And how might Jesus be inviting you - not to deny that pain - but to let Him meet you there first?

Because we cannot love like this on our own.

We can only reflect what we have first received.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for loving me with a love that does not pull away.

Even in the places of hurt, confusion, or disappointment…

You remain.

Meet me in those places, and teach me how to love from the strength of Your love, not my own.

Amen.