We love because He first loved us. I John 4:19
Bible Study is not a passive activity, but an active pursuit into the very heart of God. Life transformation occurs when God’s truth is applied to our daily lives. The more we apply truth, the more spiritual truth God reveals to us. As we are led further into God’s heart, we grow deeper in our relationship and knowledge of Him.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
II Timothy 3:16-17
This year in Community Bible Study, we studied the Gospel of John. The account of Jesus washing His disciple’s feet prior to the Last Supper was a familiar one (see John 13). However, for the first time I realized that Jesus washed Judas’s feet too! Just a few hours later, Judas would betray Jesus—and Jesus knew that! How then could Jesus willingly, lovingly wash Judas’s feet?! How could He love Judas just like He loved Peter, James and John? That kind of love is unimaginable, incomprehensible, mind-blowing.
Learning to Love Like Jesus
Just as I was trying to get my head around God’s unconditional, selfless love, He called me deeper into His heart by asking me to follow Him by loving others like that. What?! Love the Judas’s in my life? Love those who hate or betray me? Love those who pretend to be friends, but aren’t? Impossible! Yes, that’s right. We cannot manufacture or conjure up this kind of love. Only Jesus can love like that. So, we must put ourselves aside and ask God to love others through us—people that don’t look, act or think like us. We need to get out of the way so that Jesus can have His way in and through us. I thought the Lord was finished revealing hard truth, but then He took me deeper.
God exposed the Judas in me. What?! How have I betrayed or denied You, Lord? Every time I fail to believe His truth or apply it to my life…I betray my Lord. Every time I go my own way or think I know best…I betray my Lord. Any time I put anything or anyone as a priority above Him….I betray my Lord. OK…I’m undone. I confess. It is true. Like Judas, I am a sinner, a betrayer.
Oh, How He Loves Us!
No sooner had I repented, the Lord quickly reminded me of His love. Just like He lovingly washed Judas’s feet, He lavishes His love upon me. He willingly went to the cross to pay for my sin. He died so that I could live eternally. Oh how Jesus loves you and me! It’s difficult to comprehend, yet it is true just the same. May we embrace God’s great love for us and live a life worthy of our calling. May we delve into His Word and pursue His heart of love. May we learn truth and apply it in our everyday lives. We CAN love because He first loved us!
Dear Lord, thank You for revealing new truths from your Word. Give us spiritual understanding so that our hearts are transformed to look more like yours. Amen.