Now before 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 now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1 (NIV)
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
Dear Lord Jesus, it’s the day of Holy Week we call today Maundy, or “Mandate” Thursday—a day crammed full of glory and overflowing with grace. Israel’s Passover will soon become the Lord’s Supper—your supper. The entire Old Covenant system of perpetual temple sacrifices is about to be fulfilled by the once-and-for-all sacrifice of your life, given as a ransom for us (Heb. 10:12). Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
Having shared eternal glory with the Father, you now show measureless grace to your disciples. Having loved this beautiful bunch of broken men well—men who vied for positions of honor a few hours earlier (Mk. 10:35-45), men who would soon all scatter and leave you—having loved them so well, you now show them the full extent of your love.
The humility you showed by disrobing to wash their feet, was a preview to your being stripped naked, publically shamed, and nailed to the cross—to wash their hearts, and ours. What wondrous love is this, indeed—how wide, long, high, and deep (Eph. 3:14-19). “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT)
How then shall we respond to your unparalleled love for us? “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). This is the new and never-ending command you’ve given us as your disciples. The most obvious expression of our “getting” the gospel is our loving others as you have loved us. Jesus, forgive our disobedience to so central and essential a command, and free us for a new season of loving well, to your glory. So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.
