Read John 13:1-4
Be Faithful Even To The “Bitter End.”
It’s just before the Passover Festival and Jesus is with his 12 disciples where a meal has been prepared. Jesus is aware:
1. That Judas will betray him.
2. That he will be leaving the world and going to the Father.
3. That he came to love the world and will do so to the end.
4. That the Father had put all things under his power. And
5. That he had come from God and was returning to God.
Knowing these five things, Jesus knew he had an important lesson he had to teach his disciples, before leaving the earth, and that was the lesson of servanthood. So Jesus got up from the meal and prepared to wash their feet.
Jesus was well aware of all that was soon to happen to him down to the most horrific details, and yet he chose to be faithful to his Father’s calling to the very end.
As I think of everything he had already gone through in his ministry, and think of everything that was yet to come in laying down his life, I’m reminded of a saying that people have said, “You do it to the bitter end.”
Jesus was aware of what his calling required of him. Regardless of how horrific or bitter or fearful it appeared, he joyfully went to the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2).
Are there any horrific or bitter circumstances we could go through that would justify us giving up serving the Lord? I hope you’re not thinking of any because there isn’t any.
Jesus joyfully went to the cross regardless of the circumstances and did so out of obedience to his Father, and did so out of love for us.
God said that Jesus has authority over every power on this Earth. Therefore, let us operate under his power and serve the Lord even To The Bitter End. May we not lose the joy of serving the Lord as we anticipate what awaits us.
Jesus kept serving, teaching, loving, and evangelizing to the end. God help us, help me, to never stop loving, serving, growing, teaching, and evangelizing your love and truth. Help me be faithful to the “Bitter” End and do so Joyfully.
