JESUS LOVED HIS DISCIPLES

Jesus Loved His Diciples
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:1-5 NLT)

Jesus knew the future of the feet he was washing. These feet will not spend the next day following Jesus, or defending His cause.  They are going to dash for cover the minute the Roman soldiers arrive.  By morning they will bury their heads in shame as they look down at their feet in disgust. They will remember the one who bowed down on His knees and washed them. He told them you don't understand what I am doing, but you will understand later.

Jesus had forgiven their sin before they had committed it. He offered them mercy before they sought it.  Do you think Jesus found it hard to love His disciples.  One minute they are listening intently then the next they are arguing who is the best among them. How was Jesus able to love them?
How would you respond if Jesus, knowing everything you had ever done, knelt before you to wash your feet.  Certainly you would know you were loved and forgiven.

Do you want to be just like Jesus?  Then you have to study His heart of forgiveness, to understand what a means to be just like Him.  Want to be transformed into a loving person.  Then read 1 Cor. 13: 4-7.   Turn it into a prayer.  Substitute your name each time the word "love" is used.
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NASB)
Then remember:  . . . Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. (John 13:1 NLT)
Remember God loves you and so do I.