December 20

“Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (John 13:1)

It is recorded of Jesus Christ, just when He was about to be departed from His disciples and led away to Calvary, that: “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” He knew that one of His disciples would betray Him, yet He loved Judas. He knew that another disciple would deny Him, and swear that he never knew Him, and yet He loved Peter.

It was the love which Christ had for Peter that bloke his heart, and brought him back in penitence to the feet of his Lord. For three years Jesus had been with the disciple: trying to teach them His love, not only by His life and words, but by His works. And on the night of His betrayal He takes a basin of water, girds Himself with a towel, and taking the place of a servant, washes their feet; He wants to convince them of His unchanging love.