S - “... 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.” John 13:1 NIV
O - Jesus experienced the limitations imposed
on all humans and which all must face … the time to leave this world and all
who are in it. Like us, he did not get to choose the timing or the method of
his departure. Like us, he would not be able to decide if he would leave those
he loved but only how he would leave them. He would leave them loving them all
(Judas included) to the very end. Love is why he came. It is why he lived and
why he died on earth. Love for his Father (John 14:21) and love for us all (John
13:34) to the very end.
A - Is
there any better way to live and die than this? All humans will love some. All
will have an end. But not all, in fact it seems that very few, actually love
all to the end. There are so many wounds and disappointments. The worst are the
intentional which come at the hands of those close in; the bitter and
inexplicable 'wounds of a friend'. This highlights the beauty and power of
unconditional love; a love which cannot be fully expressed until conditions
arise. And here is the one choice I do get to make … the choice to
unconditionally love all to the end. An end which Jesus and all heaven promises is actually only the beginning.
P - Lord who loves all and is love itself,
Thank
you for loving us no matter what. Thank you for being the way and for making
the way for us to live, love and follow. You have loved us first, and most and
refuse to change your mind … even when we give you reason to. I love you back.
I choose you back. I choose love and will rely on you to enable me to do it.
Thank
you for letting me live and pray in Jesus' name,
Steve
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