Primary Scripture:
John 13:12-30
Primary Topic:
God’s love has no limit, his grace has no measure. Jesus was humble and gracious enough to wash his disciples’ feet, giving us an example to follow. He then predicts his betrayal by giving Judas a piece of bread dipped in the bowl. Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to turn from his sin, and showed him every kindness (John 6:70; Mt 26:24; John 13:10). He even showed him special honor by giving him the morsel dipped in bitter herbs.
Jesus was not a victim of Judas’ betrayal, he was an obedient and submissive son to the Father’s will. He didn’t have to give Judas every chance to repent. He didn’t have to wash the feet of traitors and deserters.
But he did, because his extravagant love does not depend on our response to him. We face the same choice Judas did: we can either humbly accept his gift of salvation from our sins and wash each other’s feet, or we can refuse his love and maintain the face of hypocrisy by appearing to do things His way while we are really following our own dreams and desires and seeking our own honor.
Prompting Questions:
What does it mean to wash each other’s feet (is this literal, figurative, or both)? How does Judas’s betrayal demonstrate that one cannot truly receive the blessings of fellowship with Christ without fully relying on Him and being submissive to His will? As a church, when we put limits on love, generosity, patience and forgiveness, what does that reveal about our own pride and level of trust in our
Savior? Do we see ourselves as betrayers of Jesus who found grace, love and forgiveness in Him, or do we see Jesus as a way to get what we want and still maintain leadership of our own lives?
Cross References:
Romans 5:8; Matthew 5:43-48
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