Topic: Love Marathon [DCLM Daily Manna 15 January 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: John 13:1-15 (KJV)
Key Verse: “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end” (John 13:1).
MESSAGE:
Pheidippides, a legendary Greek runner and news-bearer, was said to have run a distance of about 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of Greece over Marathon in 490 BC. As soon as he delivered his message: “Nenikikamen” (We have won), he died. This is how long distance running acquired the term “marathon race”.
Christ’s love for His disciples could be best described as marathon. “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” Unlike what happens in a hundred metres dash, which lasts but for a brief moment, He loved them till He physically departed from this world. He chose them out of love, taught them out of love, put up with their shortcomings of out of love and made them what them became out of love. He demonstrated this love by stooping to wash their feet.
The love of Christ for His own did not stop at the point of His crucifixion. He showed Himself to the disciples after His resurrection and treated and admonished them most lovingly. That love has continued till date. He so “loved the church, gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
If you are one of those who have placed their faith in Christ and saved from sin by His grace, you should be rest assured that Christ loves you with a special love. He is such Lord and Saviour that is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He cares and is powerful enough to walk you through your earthly struggle and take you to heaven at last.
Thought For The Day: The love of Christ mingled with the love for Christ is the right blend for the Christian.
Bible Reading In One Year: Genesis 45-47
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
