December 30

Loved to Perfection

It was now just before the Passover Feast, and Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the very end. — John 13:1 BSB

This truth is essentially a promise, for what our Lord was, He still is, and what He was to His disciples while He was on earth, He will be to all His loved ones for as long as time endures.

“He loved them”—and what a wonder that is! That He would love people at all is astonishing. What did His disciples do to deserve His love? What have I done?

But when Jesus begins to love, He doesn’t stop. Love made us His “own”—what a beautiful title! He bought us with His blood, and now we are His treasure. Since we are His, He will never lose us. Since we are His beloved, He will never stop loving us. My soul, He will never stop loving you!

The text says, “to the end.” Even until His death, Jesus’ love for His own ruled His heart. It also means “to the uttermost”—there’s no greater love. Jesus gave Himself completely for His people. Some interpret it as “to perfection,” meaning His love is flawless—no mistakes, no missteps, no half-measures.

Such is the love of Jesus for each of His people. Let us sing a song of love to our precious Savior.