AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

 

April 8, 2025

 

This Week’s Theme:

Seeing with God’s Eyes

Learning to see the world as God does 

and living in hope, renewal, and restoration.

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John 13:16-30

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

 

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus did something unexpected: He knelt down and washed His disciples’ feet. It was an act of humility and love, showing them that true greatness comes from serving others. This included Judas, the one who would betray Him. Jesus didn’t withhold His love, even from someone who would hurt Him.

In John 13, Jesus tells His disciples:

"I have set you an example that you should do

as I have done for you."

Jesus calls us not just to admire His love but to live it out. When we serve others, especially those we find difficult to serve, we reflect God’s heart. Loving like Jesus means choosing humility, kindness, and selflessness, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Have you ever struggled to see people the way God sees them? It’s easy to view others through our personal biases, judging them based on their past, their mistakes, or even their differences. But what if God is inviting us to see beyond the surface and love as He loves?

What if this week, as we approach Holy Week, we ask God to help us see with His eyes, seeing the people around us with compassion, grace, and love rather than assumptions or judgment?

Is there someone in your life who may need to experience the love and kindness of Jesus? Maybe it’s a co-worker, a family member, neighbor, or even a stranger you encounter today. Ask God to open your heart and give you the courage to love as Jesus loved.