John 13:8

John 13:8

I. If we look to the conclusions to be drawn from this touching scene, the first that strikes the mind is our Lord's love in cleansing sinners. The scene illustrates some of the most marked features, distinguishing the later from the earlier manifestations of God's love. The revelations of God's holiness and power chiefly pervade the Old Testament. But in the Gospels these awful attributes, though not withdrawn, are yet veiled beneath the humiliation of God.

II. Most important conclusions are to be drawn from this scene, as to some material points in the work of repentance. It teaches us that the real cleansing of one portion of our being is the cleansing of the whole. There can be no forgiveness of one sin which does not involve forgiveness of the whole man. It is only as the entire soul is capable of the grace of repentance, that any portion of the soul is capable of it. Repentance therefore must be perfect in its aim and tendency, though imperfect in degree. Again, this scene illustrates the momentous truth that repentance is not merely the conviction of sin, nor merely the purpose to amend, nor merely confession. True repentance is the sense of sin as done against love, against tenderness, mourned by a heart that has begun to love in return.

III. There is here also a lesson to be learnt, not merely as to our own state before God, but also as to our duties towards others. Each earnest loving act to cleanse away from a redeemed humanity its sores and stains, to mitigate its sufferings, to hide its shame, to promote its peace, is a renewing of the mysterious scene of mercy of that eventful night, a repetition of the washing of the upper chamber, of the night of the agony. Each form of misery that passes before us in our path through life, is a call to remember that amazing scene of tender self-humiliation, a call to pause and consider how best to apply the healing of His grace, Who now is working out the purposes of redeeming love through the ministrations of His servants, to all of whom He hath said, "I have given you an example, that ye shoulddo as I have done unto you."

T. T. Carter, Sermons,p. 83.

Reference: John 13:8. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xvi., No. 926.