Day 306, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading: Mark 14:12-21; Matthew 26:17-25; John 13:1-30; Luke 22:7-14, 22-30
Love and Betrayal
Love and betrayal are two opposite extremes, of course. Love is expressed in various ways—quality time, gifts, acts of service, words, and welcome touches. Love is unselfish, and it involves sacrifices. The Apostle Paul would later describe it this way:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)
Anyone feeling guilty right about now? Me, too. Loving others can be difficult, and so is being a caring person.
Jesus loves us
Jesus is a friend to the friendless and a hope for the hopeless. Through Christ’s crucifixion, he offers us forgiveness, peace, and spiritual life (more...). We can enjoy a relationship with the creator of the universe—think of that! And, if we keep obeying him, we will also enjoy his favor.In today’s Bible reading, Jesus knows that he is soon going to die and holds the last Passover meal with his disciples. He doesn’t seek to be alone to sulk—he wants to be with his friends. Then Jesus does something strange.
…[Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:4-5, NIV)
What is this—the Son of God serving man? We can well understand Peter’s reaction: “Lord, you will never wash my feet!” (John 13:8, NIV).
The disciples should be serving Jesus—he is their Lord and teacher! However, when he requires accepting his service as an identity with himself, Peter gives in.
Why does Jesus do a servant’s work?
First, Jesus wants to show them the full extent of his love. The disciples will never forget the Lord washing their feet. He could have arranged for a slave to do it. He could have asked one of the disciples to do it. After all, didn’t Peter, James, and John have a particular problem with pride? Instead, the Lord, the creator of the heavens and the earth, washes their feet. We can imagine him gently massaging their feet as he cleans and dries them. Who can forget that? And Jesus washes twelve pairs of feet, even Judas’s feet. Does Judas also feel the full extent of his love? No, he is selfish, already making plans to betray the Lord for money.
Second, Jesus serves his disciples because he will be going away—in his absence, the disciples might jockey for power. It will be challenging to express pride, disunity, and hatred if they are washing each other’s feet and doing other acts of service for each other. They should never be too proud to serve one another in the most humble ways (John 13:12-17, NIV).Similarly, members of families, churches, and other organizations can also benefit by performing humbling acts of service for each other. Even if they do not feel like doing it at first, hard hearts often melt as they meet others’ needs. There are joys and unity in serving.
Betrayal
Betrayal, on the other hand, may start with a pretense of loyalty. It then manifests itself with actions that are deceptive, self-seeking, hateful, and destructive. Jesus is an example of ultimate love, while Judas is an example of ultimate betrayal.
Judas Iscariot had the unique privilege of living with Jesus every day. It is difficult to believe anyone could harden his heart when walking with God, but it does happen.
Many today come from godly families, go to church regularly, and play the part of being believers for years. Still, they don’t have a real personal relationship with God through Jesus. They are unbelievers and deceivers. When times are tough, they are the most dangerous to have in our congregation or family. They may betray us if it is beneficial to them. They need to be challenged to make a total commitment to Christ or encouraged to move on.
Jesus spoke strongly to his disciples about the cost and responsibility of discipleship. Are we fully committed to the Lord? Will we love and serve him, or will we betray him?
various ways to love are from The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
End Note: The Passover feast is a yearly feast held by the Jews in the first month of the year, Abib (Hebrew name) or Nisan, (March-April), on the fourteenth day. It was first instituted on the night the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt. It consisted of a meal of yeast-less bread, bitter herbs, and perfect yearling lamb or goat (Exodus 12:5).
The blood of the animal symbolized the cleansing of sin [the lamb was roasted and then eaten]. Bitter herbs represented the bitterness of bondage in Egypt. And the unleavened bread was a symbol of purity. (Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible, p.404
Discussion
How is love described, and why is Jesus the ultimate example of it?
How is betrayal described, and why is Judas the ultimate example of it?
What acts of service can we do for each other to keep us humble and joyfully working together for God’s glory?
Focus Verse
John 13:14-15 (NIV) “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.”
Watch a video of Jesus washing the disciples feet
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Here is my response to today’s Bible study. Join me if you wish.
Dear Father in heaven, You are a God of justice but also a God of love. Thank you that your Son came to seek and save those like me who were lost. I pray that we would please you by telling others of your greatness and how you can save them from their sins.
Thank you for Christ's example of humility in feet washing. Serving each other in humble ways helps unify our family, group, or other relationships.
I pray that you will meet our daily needs as you promised, and we will be content. Please keep us from losing focus--we are here to serve and sacrifice for others, not to serve ourselves.
Forgive us for the times we may have failed to love or have withheld love because of bitterness, betrayal, or they didn't deserve it. We didn't deserve your forgiveness either, and some of us may have betrayed you. Thank you for your forgiveness. I pray for a heart of genuine forgiveness, compassion, and love. Please lead us away from the temptation to hold grudges and keep a record of someone else's sins. Your forgiveness isn't like that.
May all things be done for your glory, Lord. Amen.
Please send your comments or prayer requests to me, Rod
Looking Ahead: At the end of the Passover meal, Jesus institutes the first communion service. The purpose of that ceremony is for us to Remember him. What are we supposed to remember? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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re-edited 11/2/21
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