The time for Jesus to finish his earthly ministry and return to the Father had come. He had seen a lot with his disciples. He had called them and they had followed him everywhere. Together they had amassed crowds and performed miracles. Together they had seen the same crowds disappear as the time for the crucifixion drew near.
Jesus saw all their imperfections. He witnessed them jockey for position and bicker with each other. He taught them and watched their confused faces as they shrugged their shoulders and exchanged glances that said "What is he talking about?" He lamented their lack of faith when their boat was rocked by a storm. In a few hours, Jesus would ask them to watch and pray because of what lay ahead, but they would fall asleep. And just after his arrest, they would all abandon him. No wonder he once said to them, "How long will I be with you?"(Mt 17:14-20)
But John adds a small phrase in John 13:1--"he loved them until the end." He never stopped loving them for a single one of their faults. He never rejected them. Jesus would later call them his friends. This enduring affection and care for his disciples reflects perfectly the heart and character of God toward His children: God is love.
Peter and Paul cultivated this same tender care in the churches through their letters. Peter said, "make every effort to supplement your faith with... godliness and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." Paul said, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." We honor God and shine with His great love when we humbly commit to care for and love each other.
Maybe it doesn't surprise you that Jesus loves in this way. But when you add to the quality of his love the fact that he will love you until the end no matter how many times you fall along the way, then you ask, "How in the world can God love me like that?"
God's love doesn't depend on your good behavior, but on God's promises toward those who trust in Him. God keeps His promises. He's not like a double-minded man. He says he will do something and you can rest assured that's what will happen. When you turn from sin and believe the Gospel, you are coming into a new relationship with God. In this relationship, God never gives up. If you are God's child, He loves you and is committed to seeing this relationship through.
That's why Jesus said to his disciples, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." (Mt 28:20b)
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