John 13:1–11

 John 13:1–11

From this point on Jesus will have no public ministry. It is time for His glorification, to be lifted up on the cross and then to be lifted up to the Father. John says very little about the Lord’s Supper in terms of the bread and wine and what they mean. John addresses that subject in his sixth chapter with the “Sermon on the Bread of Life”. On this occasion John points out the priority of humble service in the washing of the disciples’ feet. The meaning of this action will be addressed in the next passage. Here John paints a vivid picture of the action of Jesus, “having loved His own”. “He loved them to the end”. That might be translated as “He loved them to the uttermost”. The call to love, to hold nothing back, the complete and perfect love of Jesus is expressed in service. It is not possible for that kind of love to not be expressed. Service is a natural result of love. Service is not consuming, it is giving, it is not taking, it is sharing. If we love as Jesus did we can’t help but serve

But there is another thing that John mentions about Jesus‘s service. In verse three we find Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands. Jesus was not about to be swept away in a stream of events like a helpless man and a raging river. Judas was not overwhelming Jesus by his scheme. Everything was in and under the control of the Son by the will of the Father. If there is ever a time when we ought to serve it is when we have the power not to. When the Father gave the Son control Jesus used that occasion to serve.

“Lord, help me live with the attitude of the towel and basin. AMEN”