Full Extent of His Love

JESUS HAVING LOVED HIS OWN HE NOW SHOWED THEM THE FULL EXTENT OF HIS LOVE. JOHN 13.1.

Today is Good Friday. How could anyone imagine that the most horrible and unjust day of all times would become the Good Friday to Christians and to the world!

It all started with the love of God to all people of the world and His greatest gift of love to all people. The Bible says, "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (Jn 3.16).

When the Son of God came to earth, He said, "The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost" (Lk 19.10). Jesus handpicked the twelve but many more followed him and became His disciples because of His love and concern for them. When He was with them, they lacked nothing! He healed all those came to Him and performed signs and miracles to meet their needs. No one who came to Him returned empty or disappointed!

But Jesus knew that the extent of His love would lead Him to the cross and ultimate death. He began early in His ministry to explain this to the twelve disciples. But they who trusted and anticipated Him to be the Deliverer of Israel, could never understand Him. "Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (Mt 16.21). The utter ignorance of the disciples of the purpose of Jesus coming into the world was revealed by Peter. We read, "Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" (V22).

The gospels record, "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"(Jn 13.1). Most translations say, "Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end". What great love Jesus showed to His disciples whom He loved and who loved Him!

Dear Believer, this Good Friday, would it be too much for you to take a little quiet time to appreciate and even experience the love of our Lord Jesus for you? There is a beloved hymn that says, "Was it the nails that kept you on the cross, NO! It was Your love for me!" How true! "He could have saved Himself as He saved others", as the rulers and the people teased Him on the cross. But He didn't! Remember Jesus said, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels" (Mt 26.53). He didn't! It was His love for you and I to the very end, that kept Jesus on the cross! It is for you that He endured the persecution.. It is for you that He bled and died!

Jesus said "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (Jn 15.13). That is what the Lord Jesus did for you on Good Friday! How will you show your love for Him in return today? Good Friday service, drama and celebrations by themselves are only collective outward responses. May I suggest that you do what the Lord pleaded Peter, James and John to do, while in Gethsemane, "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" (Mt 26.40). Reciprocate Jesus' love on the cross for you by spending "one hour" with Him this Passion weekend. Continue to spend some time each day henceforth with Him who loved and died for you on the cross. If you don't, it wouldn't be a great surprise if you too will deny Jesus like Peter – not three times but for all time! The cross forever poses the question, "Do you love me more than everything else?"

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, You loved me and gave Your life for me. Help me to love You and show that love by giving my life to You in return, in practical ways. Amen.