Follow the Light: Day 13 - His Light Reveals His Love
Click here to watch the video in a new window
“It was just before the Passover Feast. 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.”
John 13:1 (NIV)
Without light we could not see what we are looking for. We would be left to grope about in the darkness. When Jesus, the Light of the world, came He shed His light in our lives so we could find what we needed most, what we are all looking for – LOVE; God’s love. In dramatic fashion Jesus demonstrated what it means to love completely in John 13. Even before His death on the cross, the disciples would experience the full extent of His love. Despite knowing that He would be betrayed by one, denied by another and deserted by all His disciples, John tells us that Jesus loved them to the very end. To be known fully and loved completely is an uncommon love. His light reveals that kind of love in this chapter in a simple but profound way that they would never forget.
Imagine the scene John describes. It was just before the Passover celebration when Jesus got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciple’s feet, drying them with His towel. This was the task of a household servant, not the master of the house. Seeing his Master and Lord behave like a common slave must have been more that Peter could accept. He still didn’t comprehend Jesus’ teaching on servant leadership. To be a leader a person must be a servant. Jesus not only taught the importance of serving, He served. He demonstrated by His own actions what it means to serve others and the motivation it takes to do it – love. Here was the lesson:
“You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are right, because that is what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” John 13:13-17 (NLT)
It’s so easy to get caught up with status and success. We all want to feel important and have others serve us, but Jesus demonstrates by example how we should relate to one another. In what ways can you serve others? As you follow the Light how are you reflecting that light of love in your world? If you love completely, the response of others will not dictate how you serve them.
Today, each of us will have opportunities to serve others in many different ways that would reflect His light and love for those around us. As you <read John 13> today, consider how you may serve others.
Printed copies of the Follow the Light devotional are available at Follow the Light — Kerry Shook Ministries.