Christ Models Caring Love
The Upper Room Discourse contains Jesus’ final words of instruction and encouragement to His disciples before His death. Only John records these intimate moments between Jesus and His men as He models true humility (chap 13), describes Holy Spirit who will comfort and empower them (chap 14-16) and intercedes for the unity and protection of His disciples worldwide (chap 17).
Lord, we will follow Your Example: When Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father,having loved His own,He loved them to the end…So He got up from the table, wrapped a towel around his waist & poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him (John 13:1-5). I have given you an Example, that u should do as I have done to you… Now that u know these things, God will Bless u for Doing them (v15-17) A new Commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another(v34-35) Amen
Lord, we noted Your advice to the disciples to Follow Your Example of servanthood and submission to the needs of the moment. Like the disciples, we may tend to miss our mission to serve and to meet the needs of others. Motivate us Lord by Your promise that those who serve others will Be Blessed by You in special ways we wouldn’t want to miss. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I want my friends to serve You; and I desire them to be served by You, to experience the cleansing that only You can provide. Help me to get the gospel right as I talk with them. For it is not primarily about what they must do for You. But about what You have done for them and for them to really appreciate and reflect it. Amen.
Lord, we receive Your Command to love one another through our actions; and to express love for those who don’t yet know Christ. You promise that when we demo sacrificial love for one another, the world will notice our actions. And recognise us as disciples of the one who sacrificed Himself on the cross in order to save all of us from our sins. Amen.