Live to Love Scripture Encouragement

John 13:5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Imagine a days worth of dust on each foot. It was a daily task of perhaps the lowest servant in the average home. Apparently this task had been overlooked by the event planner, but it was the will of the Father for His Son to exemplify His love in a way that foreshadowed what He wanted them (and us) to do to one another—serve one another by loving with Him. In the same way their feet got covered with dirt as they walked in this world, so did their souls get dirtied each day by living in this world. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). Like Jesus, in humility, lowliness, gentleness, and passion for the glory of God, we can serve each other in love. It’s one way Jesus will love His own to the very end. So put on His towel and be prepared today to serve—that is, encourage, forgive, and pray the blood of Jesus over whoever He puts in your path.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 13:5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Imagine a days worth of dust on each foot. It was a daily task of perhaps the lowest servant in the average home. Apparently this task had been overlooked by the event planner, but it was the will of the Father for His Son to exemplify His love in a way that foreshadowed what He wanted them (and us) to do to one another—serve one another by loving with Him. In the same way their feet got covered with dirt as they walked in this world, so did their souls get dirtied each day by living in this world. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13). Like Jesus, in humility, lowliness, gentleness, and passion for the glory of God, we can serve each other in love. It’s one way Jesus will love His own to the very end. So put on His towel and be prepared today to serve—that is, encourage, forgive, and pray the blood of Jesus over whoever He puts in your path.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 13:3-4 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, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.
Love humbled Himself to take the lowly role of a servant. The robe which would later belong to a Roman soldier was now exchanged for a towel. No pride. No vanity. No show. Before them stood the glorious creator and sustainer of the universe, the Lord God most high, the Almighty Father wrapped in a towel. What humility, lowliness, gentleness, and passion! This is Life, the light of men, shining in the darkness. This life and light lives in all who are His. He moves all who live to love with Him in the same way. Have we girded ourselves with His towel today? Humility. Lowliness. Gentleness. And Passion.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 13:3 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,
From the previous verses we learned that Jesus knew His time to depart was at hand, He loved His own, and that intense suffering, grief, rejection, and shame was imminent. In this verse we learn that He also knew that all things necessary for Him to do the Father’s will were at His disposal and that in a matter of hours He would behold the joyful, loving, glorious face of His Father in heaven. With these things in mind He wanted His disciples (and us) to see what the humility-born love of His Father looks like in sandals. The same knowledge that Jesus had (listen or read this carefully), we have to motivate us to live to love with Him. Our time is short. We expect to suffer. We have everything we need to do the Father’s will. We will see our Father’s glowing face soon.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

John 13:2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,
In verse one, we learned that Jesus knew His time was short and was motivated by His enduring love for His own. In this verse we learn the setting: it was during supper and the betrayer, Judas, inspired by Satan, was primed and ready to act. Judas did not belong to Jesus. Can Judas say truthfully that the devil made him do it? No. The devil put the idea in his heart, and he chose to do it. Let’s be careful that we don’t blame others or the devil for our choices. Even so, this is the work of God and it is marvelous in our eyes! Judas was necessary for God’s love to be revealed and known.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com