“When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:1-5
“And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying,.. ‘Save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself…’ And the robbers who were crucified with him reviled him in the same way.” Matthew 27:39-42,44
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:3-4
Before Jesus’s death, John describes him as anticipating His crucifixion and loving His disciples to the end. Within hours, He would have exemplified to the greatest degree what that meant. Bearing temptation and scoffing, He set aside the power He could have exerted to come down from the cross and willingly gave His life so He could call us His children. He loved and died to the end.
And because of His completed work, we can trust Him to the end. What Jesus exemplified and accomplished for us empowers love and confidence in Him. The One who knew His hours were short and spent them for His Father’s will energizes ministry. The One who selflessly knelt to serve inspires humble service. The One who was faithful and obedient to the end enables us to persevere. Looking to Jesus the trustworthy Savior, we are compelled to trust in any circumstance. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
What hour of trouble, sorrow, or sacrifice has come for us? What external hostility or inner accusation unsettles? When strength is small and the path is dim, we can look to Jesus and trust in Him.
“I will trust my Saviour Jesus,
When my darkest doubts befall
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all
I will trust my Saviour Jesus
Trust Him when my strength is small
For I know the shield of Jesus,
Is the safest place of all
I will trust my Saviour Jesus
He has said His way is best
And I know the path He’s chosen
Leads to everlasting rest
Oh on that cross, how it was seen
I can go now ever trusting in the one who died for me
What could I bring, for your gift is complete
So I trust You, simply trust You, Lord with every part of me
I will trust my Saviour Jesus
Every hour of my life
As I journey home to see Him
He will never leave my side
Jesus, only Jesus
Help me trust you more and more
Jesus, only Jesus
May my heart be ever yours” ~City Alight (2023)
Yes, Lord!
As the rain and snow 