Written in RedSample

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; - John 13:1-3, NIV

This is one of the most pivotal moments in Jesus’ earthly life. He’s about to share His last meal with His disciples—His friends and closest followers. What’s more, He knew what was to come. He sat with His friends knowing that one of them, Judas, would betray Him soon after. He shared a meal with them knowing that He would soon be taken from them in the most brutal of ways. He sat with them knowing that He would be crucified and killed for the sake of those around the table and everyone else on Earth. Yes, Jesus knew His time was short. If that were us, we probably wouldn’t spend our last moments doing what Jesus did: serving others. Rather than get away, spend time alone, and focus on what was ahead, Jesus took some of His final moments with His friends to serve them in a way only He could. It’s a great example for us to do the same.

When we have every reason not to serve those around us, we can draw inspiration from Jesus Himself. We can remember how He put the greatest challenge possible aside to do that. When we think of it that way, nothing should stand in our way! This week, ask God for a heart like this—a heart that serves others like Jesus.