Love Within Reach
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (John 13: 26-27 ESV)
I’ve often wondered how far in advance Jesus knew that Judas would betray him and Peter would deny him. Did he know even before he called them to be his disciples? My human nature is to think that he’d have loved them less or treated them differently if he’d known at the outset how fickle and self-serving his disciples would be. But my knowledge of God’s unconditional love leads me to believe that Jesus knew it all and loved them anyway.
Jesus preached that we’re to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matt. 5:44) and then he lived it. He prayed for leaders who plotted against him and soldiers who carried out their bidding. He prayed for people hurling curses at him. “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). He prayed for strength for his weak, human disciples. He looked lovingly upon them even as he knew what was to come.
We read these things in the Bible. We know his love to be powerful and unalterable, and yet we also believe the lies that we have to earn his love, that it’s possible to lose his love. We mess up and immediately start chastising ourselves, calling ourselves stupid, weak, and worthless. This isn’t what Jesus wants. It’s not how he speaks to those he loves. He speaks only words of kindness, comfort, and invitation. He invites us to find rest in him. He encourages us to turn away from things that do not help us.
Jesus loved well those who disagreed with him, actively sought his death, and turned away from him. His love excluded no one. He loved even as he corrected. The Samaritan woman wasn’t living abundantly. Jesus didn’t condemn her, but acknowledged her current life and invited her into a new one. It was his love that drew her to him, that resulted in her desire to change. But even if she hadn’t accepted Jesus’ offer, he’d have continued to love her because his love isn’t conditional.
Judas Iscariot was with Jesus throughout his entire ministry. He was given responsibility, charged with keeping the group’s finances, even as Jesus knew Judas would be bought with a few pieces of silver. Did Jesus give Judas this job as an opportunity to choose a new path? Perhaps Jesus wanted to show Judas that he was loved despite his flaws. Judas regretted his transgression immediately afterward. We all know that feeling, the sinking in our stomach when we realize we’ve screwed up. We desperately wish we could go back and make a different decision, but of course, we can’t change the past.
Unlike Judas, we don’t have to let our failures define us. Instead of admitting his mistake and repenting, Judas ended his life. We don’t get to see him start again and allow God’s love and forgiveness to wash him clean. Judas didn’t seem to realize that he was fully loved by Jesus even in his lowest moment. He probably felt hopeless. Condemnation may have been hissed at him by Satan. You’re a screw-up. You don’t deserve forgiveness. You’ll never recover from this terrible act you’ve committed. Your life is over.
This is how I feel sometimes when I make mistakes. Beyond redemption. Permanently marred. Hopeless. But none of it is true. The enemy wants me to think all is lost. His goal is to kill and destroy. If he can mire me down in self-pity, self-sabotage, and despair, then I’ll be knocked out of the game. Sidelined from speaking the truth of God’s love, hope, and resurrection.
In these low times, I need reminders that one mistake doesn’t kick me out of the game. Peter made three mistakes in the span of a few hours, yet that didn’t ruin his witness or ability to spread the gospel. Jesus told Peter that he would betray him, but also that he would return. And when he did, he was to strengthen his brothers.
Jesus knew the valleys Peter would traverse and told him they’d strengthen his witness of God’s love and ability to redeem things that seem lost or hopeless. When Peter was stuck in remorse and self-loathing, Jesus lifted him up, giving him the mission of caring for his people. Jesus offered forgiveness and a new start.
He offers the same to us. His love is always within reach, just waiting for us to receive it and let it transform us. May we refuse to believe the lies of the enemy that tell us we are irredeemable. Let’s remember that God’s love isn’t conditional and that he can bring healing and hope from any circumstance.
Lord, I’m so grateful that your love is not dependent on my behavior. You love me because I’m yours. May your unfailing love guide me back to you when I make mistakes. Give me the courage to speak the truth of your love and faithfulness to others. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NIV)
“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’” (John 4:39 NIV)
Reach for More
Think back over your history with Jesus and remember those times when he’s redeemed your mistakes. Share one of these experiences today with someone who needs to be reminded of God’s unconditional love.
enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and introverting. She loves nothing better than discovering a wanted book in a thrift store or hiking alongside a river with her family or a good friend somewhere around her home of Asheville, NC. She’s the author of Between Us Girls and can be found chronicling her reading and writing journey @megan.e.byrd on Instagram or writing about life at www.meganbyrd.net.
Photograph © Agustin Fernandez, used with permission
