Lent Day 29 [03.23.2026] Unrequited Love

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. - John 13:34

Scripture: John 13:1-38

Jesus spends His final moments before His arrest with His disciples over what would be known as the last supper. Jesus knew that the hour of His suffering had come and amongst His own there was one who would turn Him over to the authorities. His heart was filled with anguish and heartbreak, but rather than retreating into darkness or allowing the pressure of the moment to cave Him in, Jesus stands up from the meal and chooses to spend His last moments of freedom to wash His disciples’ feet.

Through this ministry, we come to see clearly Jesus’ intention and heart towards us. Jesus knows that His disciples still fail to understand the gravity of what was about to take place and could not provide any comfort or support for Jesus at this time. Not only this, Jesus knows they will all scatter the moment He is arrested, and that arrest would come in the form of a kiss of betrayal by one of His own. Despite all of this, He still chooses to love and serve His disciples, declaring through His conversation with Peter:

“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

We learn that our relationship with Jesus Christ begins by receiving His love first.

Amongst the disciples was Judas Iscariot. Jesus knew what Judas Iscariot would soon do but washes his feet as well. This act gives us a clear understanding of how Jesus loves us to the end. His devotion, love, and attention does not rest on us, but on His absolute resolve to love us unconditionally. He knew that Judas would never return this love or receive Him as the Son of God but loved Judas all the same. Jesus was not deeply troubled in His Spirit because of Judas’ betrayal, but because of His love for Judas. Even in these final moments, Jesus shows us a radical and deep compassion and love for us.

Reflection:

1.     How does Jesus reveal His love for us in our scripture reading today?

2.     How can we love others in the same way?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your unconditional love. Help me to believe that no matter where I am or what I have done, you are always calling me back in love. Thank you for your faithful resolve to forgive, restore, and love me at every moment. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

제목: 짝사랑 (Unrequited Love)

본문: 요한복음 13:1-38

예수님께서는 체포되시기 전 마지막 시간을 제자들과 함께 보내시며, 우리가 ‘최후의 만찬’으로 알고 있는 자리에 계셨습니다. 예수님은 자신의 고난의 시간이 다가왔음을 아셨고, 제자들 가운데 자신을 넘겨줄 사람이 있다는 것도 알고 계셨습니다. 그분의 마음은 고통과 슬픔으로 가득했지만, 그 순간의 압박에 무너지거나 어둠 속으로 물러나지 않으셨습니다. 오히려 자리에서 일어나 제자들의 발을 씻기시며 남은 시간을 섬김으로 사용하셨습니다.

이 사역을 통해 우리는 예수님의 우리를 향한 마음과 의도를 분명히 볼 수 있습니다. 예수님은 제자들이 앞으로 일어날 일의 심각함을 이해하지 못하고, 그분께 어떤 위로나 도움도 줄 수 없다는 것을 아셨습니다. 또한 체포의 순간이 오면 그들이 모두 흩어질 것과, 그 체포가 한 제자의 배신의 입맞춤으로 이루어질 것도 알고 계셨습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 예수님은 그들을 사랑하고 섬기시며 베드로에게 이렇게 말씀하십니다:

“내가 너를 씻어주지 아니하면, 네가 나와 상관이 없다.”

우리는 이 말씀을 통해 예수 그리스도와의 관계가 먼저 그분의 사랑을 받는 것에서 시작된다는 사실을 배우게 됩니다.

제자들 가운데에는 가룟 유다도 있었습니다. 예수님은 유다가 곧 자신을 배신할 것을 알고 계셨지만, 그에게도 똑같이 발을 씻겨 주셨습니다. 이 행동은 예수님이 우리를 끝까지 사랑하신다는 것을 분명히 보여줍니다. 그분의 헌신과 사랑은 우리의 반응에 달려 있는 것이 아니라, 우리를 향한 그분의 절대적인 사랑의 결단에 달려 있습니다. 유다가 결코 이 사랑을 받아들이지 않고 예수님을 하나님의 아들로 믿지 않을 것을 아셨지만, 예수님은 여전히 그를 사랑하셨습니다. 예수님께서 마음에 괴로워하신 것은 단지 배신 때문이 아니라, 유다를 향한 사랑 때문이었습니다. 이 마지막 순간까지도 예수님은 우리를 향한 깊고도 급진적인 사랑과 긍휼을 보여주십니다.

묵상 질문:

1. 오늘 본문에서 예수님은 어떻게 우리를 향한 사랑을 드러내십니까?

2. 우리는 어떻게 이와 같은 방식으로 다른 사람들을 사랑할 수 있을까요?

   
   

기도:

하나님 아버지, 조건 없는 사랑을 베풀어 주셔서 감사합니다. 제가 어떤 모습에 있든지, 무엇을 했든지 상관없이 언제나 사랑으로 저를 부르신다는 사실을 믿게 도와주세요. 언제나 저를 용서하시고, 회복시키시며, 사랑해 주시는 신실하신 하나님께 감사드립니다. 예수님의 이름으로 기도드립니다. 아멘.