Day 2: God's Love For The Church

Read It: John 13:1-4, 12-20, 34-35

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end… 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you… 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them… 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.”

Meditate On It:

1. What did Jesus do just hours away from His eventual betrayal and crucifixion? What was so significant about this act? How did the disciples react? (vv1-11)

2. What were Jesus’ instructions to the disciples? What would it look like for us to follow Jesus’ example in our own context today? (vv12-35)

3. According to this passage, why should Christ-followers practice love for one another?

Apply It:

Jesus is our ultimate example of love. In the time prior to the Cross, He shares a meal with His disciples in the last supper, He washes their feet, He instructs them in the way of love, and He warns them of what is to come. Eventually, one of his disciples betrays Him, another one denies Him thrice, and the rest all scatter, leaving Jesus alone in His final hours. Despite all their shortcomings, Jesus loved them until the very end. As His Church, we should be aware of anything that hinders us from loving like Jesus.

1. How have I experienced the endless and enduring love of Christ in my own life? (If you have not done so yet, write a brief testimony of what the Lord Jesus has done for you and how He has saved you from your sins.)

Before Christ, I was….
Then I came to know Jesus through….
Ever since then, my life has changed in…

2. Whose “feet” can I “wash” this week? How can I emulate this practice of being lowly and last of all — doing something for others that requires self-denial and sacrifice without expecting anything in return?

Set Simple, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic, and Time-bound (SMART) commitments.

Example: “I will prepare some food and serve my Dgroup/family this week.”

Pray It:

• Let us pray to be more like Jesus, denying ourselves and serving others sacrificially, without expecting anything in return.
• Let us lift our church up in prayer to continue magnifying the Lord by making disciples who will make disciples of all nations.
• Pray for a culture of honoring God’s Word and authorities in the Church—to submit to God above all and abide by the wisdom of our elders, pastors, and servant-leaders.
• Intercede for our leaders that the Lord may indeed sustain His servants and grant them wisdom on how to navigate through the year ahead such that God is glorified in their lives and our church:
  • Your Senior Pastor
  • For all the Elders, Pastors, servant-leaders, and each one’s families
  • Every Discipler and their disciples to grow in Christlikeness as they fulfill the Great Commission
• Pray to be part of a discipleship group or, if you are already in one, to start your own discipleship group this year.