Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent
of His love. (John 13:1 NIV)
No ministry of the servant of Jesus
Christ can be a triumphant ministry unless there is a deep, strong, abiding
love.... Love
is going to solve our problems and to bring us into victory; but apart from a
sufficient love, the problems of human make-up, the many differences of
disposition and character and all that goes to make up a company, and the
continuous drain and strain, with all the pressure that comes from the enemy,
will present a problem, a perplexity and a paralyzing task....
We may ask, "How did the Lord manage to maintain the relationship with His
disciples?" They were so difficult, so different, so disappointing. "Having loved
His own... He loved them unto the end." That is the answer. Love got above all
that they were; love gave the extra thing which enabled Him not to take them
just as they were and end there. So in our relationships, the spirit of the true
servant is only possible as there is a deep love. Upon all those who have ideas
of serving the Lord and working for Him I would urge this consideration: that
the work of the Lord is not some thing which you outwardly and objectively take
up. It is (if it is the true thing) the outworking of love for the Lord and for
those who are the objects of His love. That is very simple, but it goes to the
heart of things. Sooner or later you and I will be brought to the position where
the question will be, Have we sufficient love to go on? Can we find enough love
in our hearts to get us through this particularly difficult situation? The
situation will be constituted by all those factors which resolve us into
servants, bondslaves. It would not have become so acute if only we had been
esteemed and honored, and held in high regard. But when the situation is
created by a great deal being expected of us, by demands being made upon our
generosity, our kindness, calling for an almost inexhaustible fund of patience,
and the letting go of personal feeling; when really the main issue in the crisis
is this – I am being imposed upon: too much is being expected of me: I am
treated as a servant – that is where we are found out. Love alone can support
this service.