Good morning, I pray that we may all enjoy this lovely day.
Jesus washed the feet of Judas, and Judas let Him do it. They both knew what Judas would be doing a short time later, but Jesus didn’t hesitate, He washed the traitor’s feet. Judas went on to do his terrible deed but the act of humble love resonated in the hearts and minds of the others who were there that night.
Jesus knew that the sins of the woman were even worse than those of which she was accused. Yet with his head bowed toward the ground he heard the stones fall out of her accuser’s hands, and one by one they fell to the ground as the accusers turned and slipped away. Jesus only told her that He too was not going to punish her and that she should turn her life around. A broken woman was saved that day.
Jesus knew that Zacchaeus was a tax collector and He knew that Zacchaeus’ friends would be made up of the worst kinds of sinners. Jesus didn’t ridicule Zaccaeus or his friends, He had supper with them and enjoyed their company. Souls were saved that night.
Jesus didn’t only talk about love, teach about love, Jesus lived love in surprising ways. Ways that often were often so unexpected they were quite shocking.
We read this wonderful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Jesus has set the path for us. He hasn’t simply spoken the truth about love, He lived it for us to see. God’s Word lines the path of love with reminders to keep us true to the course.
Live well in a life of true love today. Jesus has set the path, let’s shock people by living it.
Vern