In John 13, we read the incredible account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. This act displayed His amazing love and humility towards the very men who would soon betray or abandon or deny him.
Knowing full well that Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him and all the others would abandon Him, Jesus nevertheless stooped down to wash their feet – a task usually done by a servant. He knew their flaws, failures, and future sins, yet He loved them unconditionally.
As a preacher, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy and feeling like an imposter. But Jesus knows me fully, with all my shortcomings, and loves me anyway. His love is not conditional on me being perfect or having everything together.
In our humanity, we may love imperfectly. But Christ demonstrates relentless love towards undeserving sinners. A mother loves her newborn baby with complete, unearned acceptance. This is the tiny image of the greater, deeper love that Jesus has for each of us.
He loves us in spite of our sin and weaknesses. His love transforms our lives, compelling us to love others. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Let Jesus’ unconditional love for you sink deep into your heart. Rest in the security that you are fully known and fully loved by Him. This love is the foundation we need to then love and serve others – even those might wrong us. Jesus loved perfectly and calls us to follow His example of sacrificial, humble service rooted in grace.
Lonnie Davis