“He loved them to the end.”
Opening
Lord, as we journey with you in these last days, make us ever present to you on your way to the cross and the empty tomb.
Reflection
These days are filled with wonder, questions, amazement, at how we can be so deeply loved. Humbly, we enter the story again. Change us through this week as the story unfolds day by day.
Invitation
Read the scripture slowly. If you are comfortable put yourself in the story as an observer. Stay close to watch Jesus, his actions, his words, his responses.
Scripture: John 13:1- 5, 12,-15, 34, 35
“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 loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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… When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Prayer of Response
Having loved your own who were in the world,
You loved them to the end.
Loving your own who are in the world,
You love us to the end.
What could mean more than these words?
You love us to the end.
How can we begin to grasp this even a little bit?
When we doubt your love,
when we question,
when we fail You, others, and ourselves,
may the truth of these words
echo deep within us.
“You love us to the end.”
You have shown us the healing
affirming, transforming power of your love,
that says Yes to us,
that says, I love you no matter what.
May this truth sink deep within us,
heal us and ground us
and so much so
that we love each other like you do.
May it be healing, affirming and transforming
to all whom it touches.
May it be said of us,
having loved you,
we who are in the world,
we loved you to the end-
In all the hungry, hurting faces
in which we see you
each and every day.
May we the loved, so love.
Amen.
Copyright 2020 Rev. Eva Sullivan-Knoff