March 18, 2002
LOVE TO THE END

"Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." (John 13:1)

This describes Jesus' feeling on the eve of his crucifixion, the day we commemorate as Maundy Thursday during Holy Week. Fully aware of the intense suffering he would have to endure, his thoughts were focused not on his own impending agony, but on how much he loved his disciples. He went on to demonstrate that love by humbly washing their feet.

Believers of all generations since have comforted themselves with these words: "Having loved his own, he loved them to the end." Countless personal testimonies have confirmed that this promise was meant not only for his original disciples, but for all who have followed him through the ages of church history. Individually, one by one, they have experienced the warmth of his embrace in the moments when they have felt most forsaken and alone. So, we too can rest in the confidence that his love is not fickle, but is a solid, dependable, eternal reality in our lives.

"To the end" can be applied in three ways, and all are valid and true:

(1) It may refer to the end of a person's life on earth. When John wrote these words, the end of Jesus' life was only hours away. But many believers on their deathbeds have found inexpressible reassurance in this reminder that Jesus will love those who trust him to the very end of their lives. We may feel loved by a Lord whom we are actively worshiping and serving. But when we are on a bed of sickness, possibly having outlived our loved ones, feeling useless with respect to serving the Lord—then we need a solid reminder that Jesus is committed to loving us to our end.

(2) The word translated "end" can have other meanings than in reference to time. "To the end" can mean "utterly," or "completely," indicating how high on the scale Jesus' love measures. He does not love "his own" in a superficial or formal way. He loves the total of all they are from the very core of his being. His love is overwhelming, more than meeting every need felt by "his own." This means he never gives up on us, however miserably we fail in our promises to him. Having loved us, he loves us "to the end," to the n^th degree!

(3) The Bible consistently refers to a time when human history will culminate in final judgment and the establishment of God's eternal Kingdom. That last chapter of the story of his dealings with his human creatures is often referred to as "The End." It is described in terms that are epic and awesome and sometimes very scarey. Readers of the Bible do not come away thinking of "The End" with joyous anticipation. But Jesus, "having loved his own loved them to ‘The End.'" Believers of all generations have taken great comfort in the fact that in the culminating drama of judgment they will still be sheltered by the love of Jesus.

Whether you're thinking of your need for love at the end of your life, your tendency to test whether Jesus loves you to the n^th degree, or your anxiety about how you will face "The End," these words ought to be engraved in your mind and your heart:

"Having loved his won, he loved them to the end."

–Pastor George Van Alstine