He Loved Them to the End

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

A Maundy Thursday – 13 April 2017

Text: John 13:1-35

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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The Gospel of John gives us this poignant scene in today’s/tonight’s Gospel lesson. Typical of this gospel writer, he gives us a bit of insight into Jesus’ actions and intentions by saying: “Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” And with this setting the scene for us, John tells us his story.

Jesus is at supper with the disciples when he stands up to remove his outer robe and tie a towel around his waist. He pours some water. Then, he begins to wash their feet. Feet got dusty in Jesus’ day, so this task was normally reserved for servants.

Peter resists this act of servanthood. Perhaps he doesn’t see the love in this act that Jesus is trying to perform for them. Jesus explains, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me” – in other words, Peter, accept the gift of love that I am offering. Presumably, Peter does.

Presumably, Jesus also washes the feet of Judas Iscariot, the one that Jesus knows will betray him.

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” 

He’s done washing their feet, and so Jesus rejoins them at the table. He explains to them that, in taking on this menial task for himself, he’s given them an example to follow. “Do as I have done to you,” he says to them.

Jesus then begins to talk about the betrayal that he knows is coming. The disciples are nervous – “Who is it?” they ask him. And with a simple act of sharing some bread, Jesus identifies the betrayer. Judas leaves them then, going out into the night to do quickly what he is going to do.

The next part of the conversation must’ve really confused the disciples, for Jesus starts talking about glory. Jesus sees the long view – he sees that God is at work, even in the betrayal that has come on this dark night.

He knows that he is soon to depart from them. His mandate to them is really quite simple: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This is our witness to others, Jesus says. Want to show people the very love of God? Then show them love.

If we follow the example set for us by Jesus, the love that we show won’t always be picture-perfect. It won’t always extend to people that we find easy to love, either – think back to Jesus washing the feet of Judas Iscariot.

On this day/night, we remember that Jesus knew what lay ahead for him. He knew that one disciple would betray him, and he knew that the others would abandon him to death.

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

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