Today is Maundy Thursday, traditionally the day in the Christian calendar when we remember how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples (see John 13:1-35). Jesus demonstrated His love for them in this selfless act of service; it was, John says, a way that He showed them the ‘full extent of His love.’ In this chapter, Jesus told them to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’ It is significant that He included Judas, who would betray Him, in this act of service: ‘despite the betrayal, despite the hatred, bitterness, envy or disappointment – whatever it was that motivated Judas – Jesus cut through it all with His offering of love.’ (‘Sharing The Easter Story’, P 208)
We are all made in the image of God, and ‘loving each other as if there were none other in all the world’ is the ideal to which we should all aspire. Because we are loved so much by God, we are set free to love as He loves.
