New followers of Jesus Christ are often advised to begin their reading of the Bible with the book of John. I understand why! It’s all about the teachings of Jesus – His ministry – from His baptism through His resurrection and after, 21 chapters in all. Now, as I dig into the 13th chapter, I (and you) have the advantage of looking ahead – knowing what’s coming:
It’s the time of the Passover; the crucifixion is nearing; the reality of the greatest and final sacrifice is upon us in our study. My heart knows what’s coming, and at the beginning of Chapter 13, I’m hit with the concept of humility. Jesus is washing His disciple’s feet.“No!” Peter responds. “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus says, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
We are now looking at this event later. We should understand. Though I am not sure we yet do. Never was anyone so humble. Never was such a sacrifice given as the Lord Jesus would give.
He continues to explain it to His disciples: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
One another. Each other. Other believers. Other followers of Christ. Certainly our Lord teaches us how to reach the nonbeliever, but this command is for those of us who are His followers – to love each other.
Dozens of times in the New Testament, particularly in the epistles, we are instructed how to treat each other, how to put others before ourselves, how to love one another.
And as Jesus continues teaching His disciples at this time – this crucial time – nearing his arrest and beatings and crucifixion – He brings about what He calls a “new command.”
“A new command I give you. Love one another,” He instructs.” As I have loved you, love one another.”
You see, that’s the new part.: “As I have loved you.”
The disciples already knew their command to love one another – as they loved themselves! That in itself is huge because we love ourselves more than anyone! It had been taught to their ancestors 1400 years before Christ and carried down to them. Leviticus 19:18 But Jesus brought a new command – to love one another as He loved them. And in this part of the Gospel of John, we know we are just about to learn the depth of that love.
Looking upon these passages later, as I am, His teaching penetrates my heart in a deeper manner than His earlier teachings. It’s like being there with my loved one, days before he passes away. I’m soaking in every word, every whisper. I know the time is near and I don’t want to miss even a moment with him. That’s my heart, and I’m trying my hardest to absorb the words, “As I have loved you.”
Coffee with Kathi is a series of blog writings from the Gospel of John – just my thoughts on short segments from each chapter. (Scroll on this site to see other posts.) Ron and I are presently studying the Gospel of John in our weekly Group Bible Study with other couples from our church, The Bridge Church in Venice, FL.
If you are in the Nokomis, Venice, Northport, Port Charlotte area and looking for an awesome church, please join us on Thursday evenings or Sunday mornings! The Bridge Church.