Thursday night, cross eve.

School really it was. Lessons in foot-washing, instruction in Holy Spirit truth, a Supper sacrament, the Vine, fruit bearing, suffering for Christ’s sake.

Sitting at their Master’s feet. Hanging on His every word. The students would, however, surely fail.

Except for one thing:

Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. (John 13:1).

Each lesson of our Lord’s lips came from His heart of love. Word and love mingled their way into eleven pairs of ears, enlightening eleven minds, converting eleven hearts all the way to the end, the goal.

Love words, His, of “Spirit and life” (John 6:63), anticipating the pouring out, the enlightening, of the Great Holy Spirit.

Love words, our Lord’s, aiming not only to “prepare for life,” but to give life, eternal life.

All this, this lessoning, this love of Jesus, this self-less concern for sinners at a crucial moment, when the Savior, if He were only a mere man, might have been, understandably, too preoccupied, distracted.

For right now He knows that His hour is come. He will depart from this world to the Father. But the way is hell. And in this knowledge

He is self-isolated as never before.

No way to the Father, but through the cross.

Alone in the aloneness of the Upper Room, alone thinking not of His own glory, hindered not one whit in His love lessons, by the thought of His suffering, His dereliction, His demise…

Love His own Love does.

To the end.

To bring many sons and daughters into the fellowship of His death and life.

He loves to the end, and never gives up…for you.

For such a time as this.

With you in Him, confiding in the Savior and His truth and love,