John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

This was the day. The blessed, hopeful events of the week would begin to spiral downward and the glory of our Sovereign God was about to be revealed. This Passover meal would forever be remembered as the Last Supper. On this pivotal day, Jesus continued to love and teach his Disciples what genuine love is and what it does. In the midst of these flawed and sinful men, he demonstrated his great love and affection by washing their feet. Even after three years together, the Disciples could not comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of his love but they were about to witness for themselves the greatness of this love and the power of his might. Everything they thought they knew about Jesus and his ministry was about to unravel.

Jesus loved his own who were in the world and he loved them to the end. Jesus loved them completely and to the full; to the extreme and uttermost. Jesus chose these Disciples to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth but these men were not just students, learning at the feet of a teacher, they were his friends. He loved them and knowing his love, they loved him in return. However, their love for him would be challenged by unforeseen circumstances.

John 13:3-5 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 

John 14:1 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The Twelve: One knew he was a betrayer and had already put a plan of treason into action. Eleven knew they were not worthy but did not know the condition of their own hearts. For as much as they believed they loved Jesus and understood his teaching, their actions would surprise even themselves. Jesus, knowing his Disciples; knowing the one who would betray Him, and the eleven who would flee, washed their feet. Jesus knelt before them, washing the filthy feet of each one as though they were perfectly deserving of such kindness. Jesus’ lowly act of servanthood was uncomfortable for the forgetful disciples who would go on to have a conversation about who was the greatest among them. Jesus loved his own who were in the world and He loved them to the end.

Jesus had done for the Disciples what none of them thought to do for Jesus or for each other. He had washed their feet as a complete act of servant love; the greater love that lays itself down for another. Jesus, their Lord and Teacher had washed their feet with water. Jesus, the perfect, sacrificial Lamb of God, the one who had knelt before them, would die a criminal’s death on the cross, for the complete washing away and forgiveness of sin. (Philippians 2:6-8) Jesus loved his own who were in the world and he loved them to the end.

After having cleansed their feet and wiping them dry, Jesus gave them a “new” command. Not new in concept or theory but new in freshness and experience. These eleven men were about to experience deep grief and anguish of heart. Their love for Christ and love for one another would bring them back together.

Warren Weirsbe writes, “Love would take on a new meaning and power because of the death of Christ on the cross (John 15:13). With the coming of the Holy Spirit love would have new power in their lives.”

Consider the kindness and gentleness of Jesus as he has this last moment with his beloved friends, preparing them for the future and calling them to sacrificial love. They did not know exactly what he was calling them to at that moment, but they would come to live it out. Jesus’ lesson of selfless, servant love is speaking to you and to me. This love serves in humility, taking on the posture, position and heart attitude of a servant. This love lays down its own desires and interests for the good of others. This love thinks of others before, above and greater than itself.

Just as the Disciples could not know the future, we do not know what opportunities or events we may encounter on the path that the Lord has laid out for us. But know this, he’s calling us to that same fresh experience of love by setting aside our self-serving tendencies for the good and benefit of others. (John 3:18, 34; Philippians 3:2-8)

Jesus loved his own who were in the world and He loved them to the end. Just as he loved us we are to go and do likewise. As forgetful follower of Jesus, how does this day encourage you, by way of reminder, to love others to the end?