What is Love? John 13:1-35

LOVE IS A VERB “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

QUESTIONS What is Jesus’ kind of love? How can I love like Jesus loved?

WHAT IS LOVE? It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of his love. John 13:1

WHAT IS LOVE? The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God…

WHAT IS LOVE? …so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:2-5

First characteristic of Jesus’ love Love is unconditional The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus… Jesus’ love gives relief/blessing without conditions

Second characteristic of Jesus’ love Love is sacrificial …so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him…

WHAT TO CONSIDER Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage… Philippians 2:6 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…

WHAT TO CONSIDER …whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3

JESUS’ LOVE “The task of foot washing was so menial that according to some Jewish sources, Jewish slaves were exempt and the job was kept for Gentiles.” Gary Burge Jesus’ love sacrifices wants, status and personal property for the sake of others

Third characteristic of Jesus’ love Love is life-giving “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:8

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17

WHAT STOPS US FROM LOVING? …Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God… John 13:3 We haven’t experienced the love of the Father We can’t give what we don’t have

HOW CAN WE LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED? Reflect on what God has done for you When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place…Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalms 8:3,9 Pray that God makes it real I pray…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ… Ephesians 3:18b  

HOW CAN WE LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED? Love before you feel like it …whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24