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November 10th

The bible reading today is in Luke 22 and John 13.

“Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, “having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”.”

‭‭John‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus knew that the hour of his departure from this world had come. He knew that his death by crucifixion was near and that he was about to go back to the Father in heaven. He also knew that it was time for him to depart from his friends who believed him and left all to follow him.

And O how he “loved” them, with God’s “unconditional” love...committed to meeting the needs of his friends “ without expecting anything in return”.

Yes... "how he loved them, all the way to the end”.

Jesus “always loved” his disciples. There was never a single action or word toward them that was not in harmony with the Godly character of love.

Yes, Jesus corrected and reproved his friends for “their good” and for the Father’s glory. But it was all in love...always.

Jesus proved that love by his continuous companionship with his friends. “He stayed with them” until the days of his earthly ministry was over. And even when he left them he sent them the Holy Spirit to comfort them, guide them, and empower them for life and work.

Jesus stayed with them, even after Peter rebuked him upon hearing the Master speak of his coming death. Most rabbis would have sent Peter packing for his impertinence. But not Jesus! Jesus instructed Peter, but the Master stayed with him.

James and John had watched Jesus humbly give himself away for the sake of so many in need for over two years. Jesus would describe the kingdom of heaven in terms of humility and service...and. the greatest in the kingdom would be last, not first in recognition.

And then the brothers proved their total cluelessness of Christ’s life message by asking Him for positions of great recognition in his kingdom.

After three years of teaching and discipling, the Master could have sent the selfish “sons of thunder” home. But he didn't. He stayed with them. He loved them by staying with them...never leaving them, nor forsaking them...believing in them.

Yes, the fishermen of Galilee were his companions to the end...because he loved them...even when they thought, spoke, and behaved poorly as his disciples.

Also, Jesus proved his love by his patient teaching and his readiness to help his friends in jeopardy.

How did he teach them? Simply and Repeatedly...with Patience!

Jesus was wisdom and knowledge incarnate. But instead of trying to impress his young colleagues with divine verbiage, Jesus used common stories to get his message from their heads to their hearts.

Jesus’ instructions were given simply and repeatedly. And many a scholar would probably count Jesus’ going over and over the first principles of the gospel with such slow learners as being tedious, taxing and perhaps even boring...and not worth the effort.

But Jesus chose and loved these “slow learners” for a great mission. He loved them to the very end.

And where was Jesus when his friends were in trouble? Right, where they needed. That’s how Jesus loved. In the middle of a storm that even made seasoned fishermen afraid...Jesus was there to calm the wind and waves, not to mention young men’s fears.

And remember Peter’s wife’s mother? On her death bed there in Capernaum? With Peter’s wife broken and afraid?

Jesus was there to intercede and the dangerous fever left her body and she immediately rose from bed to serve her family and her deliverer.

O fellow followers of Jesus...just as he loved the first disciples...he loves us ...whom he has chosen...even us...slow learners...so needy...even to the end. Thanks, Lord

Have a great day