Reading: John 13:1-17, 33-35

“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

We quickly move from the cheers of the crowd on Palm Sunday waving palm branches or throwing out cloaks as Jesus the longed-for king enters Jerusalem. As the week moves on, Jesus continues to teach and connect with real people, but also makes real enemies of the religious and political leaders. The people and even the disciples wait for Jesus to make His move and usher in the kingdom He keeps talking about.

I can just imagine them wondering when it will happen. Will Jesus’ rampage to cleanse the temple turn into a cleansing of the institutions of power? Will the question about paying taxes become the moment Jesus calls for followers to truly join the cause? Instead of closed-door meetings for plotting and planning, the end of the week ushers a gathering of disciples to remember the roots of the community and devotion in the Passover.

Then Jesus does the most brazen act imaginable and picks up a towel and washes the feet of His followers. Instead of power and turmoil, Jesus humbly extends hospitality and care. And while Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting merely shows the named apostles, there had to be more disciples and followers at this Last Supper. The apostle John describes the “why” behind the act of Jesus’ gathering. “Having loved His own who were in the world,” Jesus exemplifies God’s love and works to prepare His followers for His impending sacrifice. And not just those who were in the room, but because Jesus loved all who were “His own in the world” Jesus’ act extends to us all. We all as beloved children of God have a chance to receive Jesus’ cleansing. We all can know that Jesus loves us to the end.

I pray as we continue the Easter story this week, we let God’s story of claiming and cleansing find us. In letting ourselves receive Jesus’ humble gift of grace, we can best receive the true joy of new life awaiting us on Easter Sunday.