Love to the fullest extent
by Pastor Jim Strelan
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Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love (John 13:1b).
Read John 13:1–17
It was common practice in Jesus’ time for guests coming to a house for a meal to get their feet washed as soon as they entered. You know, dusty roads, sandaled feet – makes sense. But this isn’t about that because Jesus washes his disciples’ feet after the meal. This wasn’t because those feet needed washing. This was a teaching moment for Jesus.
The gospel writer describes it as Jesus showing the full extent of his love. To get down at someone’s feet was to elevate them as much as possible and, at the same time, lower yourself as much as possible. Jesus, the Master, the Teacher, kneels and washes his disciples’ feet, one by one. To Peter – good old Peter – Jesus says, ‘If I don’t wash your feet, you have no part with me’ (verse 8), and so Peter says Jesus should wash all of him. So, what Jesus is teaching is integral to everything. This is what it is all about.
We can easily cloud what it means to be a follower of Jesus with a lot of words, clever theological constructs and head-stuff when Jesus makes it pretty simple. What it is all about is loving the other person. And how do we do that? By serving them, elevating them and putting them and their needs before our own. It’s not about me, what I want and need, but the other. This is love to the full extent. Jesus says it straight: ‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet’ (verse 14).
How are you with this? So much focus around us bombards us with messages about how important our happiness, success and wellbeing are. Think about it. How do we love God? We love God by loving others. By serving them. By washing their feet. Whose feet can you wash today?
Lord Jesus, keep teaching me. Your love amazes me. Help me to love as you love. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Ruth, on the north side of Brisbane. He is a proud and not very humble Brisbane Lions supporter. Jim likes to read, listen to music and play golf. He and Ruth love being with their young grandchildren and watching them grow. For Jim, grace is everything, and he will share that however and whenever possible.
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