Thursday
John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48
Thursday night was the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples. In our readings this week we’ll focus on that last intimate time Jesus spent with them. Even though Jesus spoke of His impending death; they did not know that this was His last time with them, before He would be crucified.
In these closing moments, what were the most important things He would do and say to His disciples before He left them? (Because so much happened on Thursday, I am posting some of these events before Thursday, so you will not have so much to read at once).
"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.
The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal,
took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After
that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples
feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?
You call Me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now
that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I
have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his
master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that
you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17
NIV
Little
did His disciples realize that night as He washed their feet, what would follow so very soon in their final moments
together this evening. After their meal, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He allowed Peter, James and John to come with Him and keep watch. In much grief Jesus wept, knowing this time on earth is coming to an end.
Later, Judas came into the olive grove with Roman
soldiers and temple guards... their torches and lanterns blazing; and
weapons ready to squelch any resistance. They arrested Jesus and took
Him away. The NIV Bible say's in John 13 "He now showed them the full extent of His love", even as He was beaten, whipped and carried
the cross to place of His death. It was there that His arms were
extended and nailed on that cross, demonstrating the full extent of His
love. As blood poured from His wounds from the whipping and the nails, His life drained out until He died. In this He fulfilled His final act of
service for humanity. It was on the cross that He showed the full extent of His love.
"God demonstrated His own love toward us
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
