God’s love for us was manifested in the death and sacrifice of Christ on the cross where Jesus satisfied and fully appeased the penalty due to us for our sins. This was the ultimate act of love Jesus modeled not only for the disciples, but for everyone.
Christ asks nothing more from us than what He modeled in the Garden – a loving heart that is fully submitted and surrendered to the heart of our Heavenly Father. That heart posture will truly lead to doing loving acts on behalf of others.
The washing of the disciples’ feet certainly was a crowning demonstration of love in action. Jesus had already told His followers that the greatest among them would be their servant and that even He, the Son of God, had come to this earth not to be served, but to serve (see Mark 10:43-45).
In these unsettling times that are intensified by images of death and destruction, how does God want His people to respond?
When God asks us to do or to accept the unusual and unexpected that is part of life this side of heaven, how do you respond?
Much of life this side of heaven is filled with the unexpected, unplanned and unwanted. Life often does not go as we plan and desire. I don’t see anywhere in Scripture where it says, “then someone had a great plan.” But, the Bible clearly reminds us that God does have a great plan that includes each of us.
Christ is still the greatest news ever proclaimed or received. A Savior has been born for you – A Savior who loves you, forgives you, comforts you, and makes something good out of the messiness of life.
What is that present? What truly is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year long? It is the gift of salvation, announced by an angel on that very first Christmas.
While on this earth, we are ambassadors or representatives of our heavenly residence. We are to display those lasting, Christ-like qualities in our thoughts and actions as we go about our short-lived lives on this earth.
What does abundant life look like? Contemplate and prayerfully reflect on that question and see what God reveals to you. My hunch is the answer will lead you back to the idea of the very life of Christ living in you.