Sunday 10:06:13

The OT teaches that God loves people King David wrote about God's thoughts and care for man Psalm 8:3, 4 ESV When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? These words are in stone over the doors of Emerson Hall, housing the department of philosophy at Harvard University. David was moved that the mighty Sovereign of the universe and Creator of all think of us? Why does he care for us? But Gods love for people is not just big, it's also very personal. It is not just generic or a sense of goodwill to man in general, but a very personal love Hagar, Sara's maidservant said, "you are the God who sees me" When Moses asked God to show him his glory, Exodus 34:6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, The psalmist declares God's love lasts forever in his faithfulness Psalm 136:1-3 ESV Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; Hosea teaches that God's love is stubborn. He refuses to give up on His people, but promises to love them in spite of their sin. Like a bridegroom pursuing his bride. Hosea 2:19 ESV And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. Jeremiah declares that Gods love is everlasting. Even in punishment for sin, Gods love perseveres. Jeremiah 31:2, 3 ESV Thus says the Lord : “The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." In the New Testament, Gods love took on its fullest expression in Jesus Christ Gods love expressed in the OT is fully demonstrated by Jesus in the NT John 13:1-15 Vv. 1-3 - Jesus knew his time had come He showed them the full extent of his love - or loved them to the end What he was about to do was a final act of love to demonstrate to them Gods love for them. He knew God had given him authority, that he came from God, and was returning to him. Vv. 4-5 - it was customary for the host to have a slave wash the dust from the feet of his guests washing of feet was the duty of the lowest level slave Vv. 6-11 - as Peter watched Jesus wash the other's feet, he objected This was out of order. The Master does not wash feet. This was the duty of the least, not the greatest. The disciples had argued who was the greatest among them James and Johns mom asked if her boys could be the most prominent of Jesus followers Jesus turned all this on its head when he taught that the one who serves is greatest "Unless I wash your feet, you have no part with me" Jesus probably meant both (1) that unless he washed Peters sins by his death on the cross, then Peter would have no relationship with him, Gods love for people is a love willing to sacrifice for others - and to pay the ultimate sacrifice Jesus' foot washing is a foreshadowing of Jesus' willingness to lay his life down out of love for us. This was the demonstration of the full extent of his love. The OT expression of Gods love: abounding, faithful, devoted, forgiving, stubborn, everlasting, infinite, gracious Jesus demonstrated all of that and then he showed the supremacy of his love for us: Jesus willingly sacrificed everything for us "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay his life down for his friends" (2) that unless Peter allowed Jesus to serve him, Peter would not learn humility Jesus' foot washing is an example of service that we are supposed to follow. If you want to follow Jesus, you will be a foot washer. You will give yourself in service to other people Love God? Love people. Vv. 12-17 - wash others' feet Jesus taught his disciples, if you're going to follow me, you will be servant to all. You will sacrifice for others, demonstrating my love for people through your service. It starts with showing an interest in someone outside of you and your family. Get out of your house. Pray for people. Look around you, there are people who are struggling with loneliness, depression, despair, disappointment. Wash their feet by spending some time with them.