1st John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
These three little words, "God is love" encapsulate the entire existence and purposes of God as they pertain to His relationship with all of His creatures. The Bible bids us pause for a while and observe the natural world, where we behold in so many different ways this fundamental characteristic of love, and while it is true that our planet has suffered severely on account of sin, yet there are still numerous evidences of God's love, manifested both in nature, and more so in our very lives. However, the greatest manifestation of God's love is to be found in Christ, who left heaven to come to save us from the thralldom and consequences of our sins, even though the vast majority of earth's inhabitants do not acknowledge the great sacrifice that was made in our behalf. Let's read:
Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Not long before Christ was apprehended by the Jewish authorities, the disciples of Christ had gathered to celebrate what we now know as the last supper, an event that was intended to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and love between them. But instead of submitting themselves to one another by washing one each others' feet, an old feud about who should be the greatest in the kingdom arose, and this striving for the highest place, threatened to alienate them even further, even though they were in the very presence of Christ. As Jesus waited to see what they would do, a cold indifference ensued, and so, before it could mature into open rivalry, Christ took the basin with water and a towel and began to wash their feet, thereby setting us an example of loving service in action. Let's read:
John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
The love of Christ as manifested in humble, willing service, is to be reproduced in the experiences of those who follow in the footsteps of The Master, not only in the occasional foot-washing ceremony, but also in the everyday experiences of life. Often there arises disputes amongst Christians pertaining to position, honor, and authority, and sometimes when these disagreements occur, there is an unwillingness to humbly serve those who may have been at fault. The example Christ has set for us is that we should be humble enough, and willing enough to love and serve one another, in spite of our differences or disagreements, for it's only through service to others that the characteristic of love is exercised.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us to loving service, for it is through the cultivation of love that true greatness is estimated in the eyes of God. Let's read:
Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
May the love which comes from God find sweet exercise in our interaction with each other, for this is the sum total of the purpose for our salvation. "Good night" and God bless!