East Baptist Church – Denison, TX

The Upper Room Teaches Us About the Light of Love in Christ

John 13:3-5

1 Corinthians 13:2

Let us start our time in God’s Word where we left off last week: We see our Lord in the Upper Room as His Love and Humility are inseparable. We need to get hold of the truth that Christ, like love, is shown in deeds acted out in humility. Christ washing the feet is love in truth acted out in deeds in a tangible way. 

Yet in the Upper Room even among those that walked and talked with God in the flesh we find one that not only rejects Him but betrays Him.

John 13:2 (NASB77) ²And during supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him.

It is one thing to not accept love offered. It is a whole new game to actively fight and try to snuff out the Light of God in Christ. 

Against the background of the hate of Judas, we see our Lord’s Light shine even brighter. Is that not the way it is even in our day and time? Light not only chases away darkness, but exposes what darkness hides

It is often hard for us even as the Redeemed to open the Bible and let its light shine on the dark place of our hearts. 

 It seems to me that the hate that comes from those that get so angry they desire to not just move on but destroy Our Lord and all His love touches is because that love reminds us of how unhealthy, selfish and sin filled love that comes from the flesh and the world is. The flesh does not like to hear about SIN and worse be reminded we need a cure for the cancer of sin. 

The love teachings of Christ uplifted the souls of the ones that love Him in that Upper Room. But to the one that had greed and the desire to use Christ rather than be used by our Lord, drove a maddening stake into his heart that led to hate and betrayal with a kiss. Light often blinds those that are living in darkness.  

As I see the act of love carried out by faith and power in the Holy Spirit, I get tears in my eyes and my heart skips a beat to see the Love of my God Creator as He with calm and majesty in total silence stands and walks over, picks up a pitcher and pours water into a basin. He removes His outer robe, His belt and puts a towel around His waist like a slave and knelt to wash the feet of those He so loves.  

They had squandered that opportunity, because they were so consumed with their own desires to be first. How many opportunities are we letting slip by even today?