John 13

Extravagant Love

Your Time is Up

If you knew you only had a short time to live, what would you do? Go out and party? Curl up in a ball and cry? Perhaps call family and friends to tell them how much you love them? Maybe reach out to someone and try to heal a broken relationship.  

That is the scenario we are privileged to witness as we read chapters 13 through 17 of John’s gospel. Chapter 13 begins this countdown to the cross that takes place on Thursday evening over a period of a few hours. Jesus knows as soon as he leaves this room he will be arrested, tried, and crucified. So what does he do?

He gathers his disciples together and gives them final instructions by showing them his extravagant love and telling them to act in the same way.

Absolute Power Trip

Verse 3 of chapter 13 tells us that Jesus knew two very powerful facts. First, he knew that the Father had put all things under his power. And secondly, he knew that he was returning to God. 

 What does history tell us about absolute power? That it corrupts absolutely. Throughout history, kings, tyrants, and politicians have done everything they can to gain power and grab even more.

What does Jesus do with his knowledge of absolute power? He gives it away in love and encourages his followers to do the same. Jesus strips down and washes his disciples’ feet. He graciously places himself in the position of the lowliest servant and personally serves them.

Jesus doesn’t just tell them about love, he shows them. He says, “See, I show you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.”

Loving The Unlovable

But what makes this act so extraordinary is that two of the men who receive his love don’t seem to deserve it - Judas the traitor, and Peter, the loudmouthed disciple who later denied knowing Jesus. Jesus does not tell these two guys, “Sorry, I can’t wash your feet or eat with you, because I know what you are about to do to me.” No, instead he invites them both to partake in the full extent of his love.

Judas’ betrayal is cold calculated treachery. But, even though Jesus knows he has already cut a deal to betray him, he still washes Judas’ feet and gives him the seat of honor at the table. Then Jesus quietly confronts him in a way that protects Judas from the wrath of the other disciples who likely would have killed him.

Peter pridefully refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. Then he goes to the other extreme and demands to be washed all over. These two reactions are the essence of arrogance – either I can do it myself, or I want all I can get.

Peter repeats his bravado by telling Jesus he will lay down his life for his Master. And Jesus responds that he knows Peter will fearfully deny him three times by morning.

A New Commandment I Give You

After Jesus shows his extravagant love, he gives the disciples a new commandment. And it’s a biggie. Based on what Jesus has just done, he tells his disciples, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, that you love one another.”

Jesus’ extravagant acts of love grow out of, and are natural results of, his absolute power. In Ephesians 1:19, Paul tells us that, as Jesus Followers, we have access to this same absolute power through the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

How Can We Love Like Jesus?

Two things jump out about Jesus’ actions that we should follow. First, he loved those who were unlovable in the same manner he loved the others. Secondly, He loved them based on his position of power, not in spite of it.

 Are there unlovable people in your life that God is calling you to love today? And how can you love them through the power of the Holy Spirit, even when you don’t feel like it?

As we show extravagant love like this, we fulfill this new commandment to love one another as Jesus loves us.

Because, in the end, we are all unlovable and powerless except for our identity in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Maranatha,