Today's daily devotion

Maximum Love

Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.—JOHN 13:1 KJV

The week before Passover proved very difficult for Jesus. When He entered Jerusalem, crowds cheered Him like a rock star, yet Jesus cried over the city that would reject and kill Him. The Pharisees hounded Him without mercy. Jesus anticipated a final Passover with His disciples, but instead of sharing His burdens, they bickered like boys.

“I’m the greatest!”

“No, I am! I’ve healed the most people!”

“You’re not even in the top three. You weren’t with Jesus on the mountain. I was.”

His followers seemed oblivious to the fact He was about to die. Yet Jesus loved them. He knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew that Peter would deny Him. He knew that they all would run when He needed them most. Still He loved them. Amazingly, He granted them the right to sit on thrones in His kingdom and judge all Israel.

Sometimes close friends and relatives do not understand our pain. They quarrel, manipulate, and maneuver, grasping for power. Like us, they are sinners. Jesus wants us to see them with His loving vision and forgive, as He does.