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Having loved his own who were in the world, he [Jesus] now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1

Lord Jesus, this story always grabs my heart. It’s the night of your betrayal—the night you would be denied and abandoned not just by Peter but by all of the disciples. You knew this and yet you persisted in disrobing yourself, bending low, and washing the dirty feet of these broken, competitive, clueless men.

The beauty and truth revealed in this scene is what keeps me sane—gospel sane. It anchors me when I lose my moorings, centers me when I feel crazy, quiets me when I’m restless, reels my heart in when I am in a wandering mode.

This is how you love each of your followers, all of your disciples, your whole Bride. You’ve made us your own. You bought us with the very price of your blood. We were redeemed from sin and death, and placed into your righteousness and embrace. Absolutely nothing can separate us from your love.

While we’re in this world, you’re constantly loving us. You’re loving us when we’re alive to your presence and affections, and you’re loving us when it feels like you’re ignoring our prayers, indifferent to our pain, or displeased with our lives. You remain committed to showing us the full extent of your love—its height, depth, width, and breadth. Hallelujah!

This turns our gaze to your cross. For it’s in your death, Jesus, that we realize that there’s no greater love to be found anywhere. Yours is the only love better than life. You gladly took our sin that you might freely give us your righteousness. Thank you, Jesus.

On this July Sunday, each of us join Paul in declaring, “the Son of God loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). This isn’t narcissism; it’s a redemptive necessity. It’s not a selfish affirmation; it’s a gloriously sacred declaration. So very Amen we pray in your truly astonishing name.

 

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