p. 5 | He Loved Them Unto the End by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 4, 1914

“ He Loved Them Unto the End ”

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

THERE are no needless expressions in the Scriptures. Here is one full of comfort and encouragement to the struggling remnant who have entered upon the trials of the end: “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.

Why this last expression, “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end”? In fact, there were at this time many things about the little company of disciples, those who for three years had followed Jesus the most ardently and faithfully, that were not at all lovable. There was almost continual strife among them as to who should be accounted the greatest. Judas had at this time contracted to betray his Lord. John and James, through their mother, had asked for the highest seats in his kingdom. Doubts pressed upon Thomas. And all were quite unprepared for the trial Jesus knew was right upon them. Peter that very night was to be so wholly surprised by the fallen foe as to deny his Lord. Therefore this expression dropped in just at this time means much. Jesus was about to enter into the final test Heaven had appointed for him. Would he drink the cup for such unworthy persons? His noble decision is made, and John's inspired pen records it, “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” Whatever they might do, he would make manifest for all coming time that he had not proved untrue to them in the crisis. He would love his own disciples, his own nation, yea, a lost world, unto the end, despite their unworthiness.

There were two very sharp stings to Satan's temptations, so carefully prepared and presented to the Son of God. The first, when he began his ministry, was the subtle insinuation, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” The last was not, “If thou be the Son of God,” but, “Why throw yourself away in an ignominious death for such a lot of rebels? Your own nation is seeking your life. One of your closest disciples will deny you, another betray you, and all will forsake you. The sacrifice of such a life as yours is too great. Such a lot of ungrateful sinners ought to be left to perish.” This was the terrible temptation that caused the cup to tremble in the hands of the world's Redeemer in Gethsemane.

And who dare say which of the two stinging temptations cut deeper into the loving heart of the Saviour? There is this about it: Jesus knew that Satan's last insinuation concerning the unfaithfulness of those for whom he had given his life was only too true. But he knew more; he knew who was responsible for inspiring all this strife and contention and selfishness among his little band of followers; it was the archaccuser of the brethren himself. And the Saviour's purpose did not waver. “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”

Of this masterful temptation in the garden we read:—

“As Christ felt his unity with the Father broken up, he feared that in his human nature he would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this he had been preparing during the three years of Christ's ministry. Everything was at stake with him. . . . With the issues of the conflict before him, Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told him that if he became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God.

“And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: 'The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected you. They are seeking to destroy you, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of your own disciples, who has listened to your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray you. One of your most zealous followers will deny you. All will forsake you.' Christ's whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom he had undertaken to save, those whom he loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced his soul.

The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of his nation, of his accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness.”—“The Desire of Ages” (trade edition), pages 821, 822.

Doubtless one of the ways by which Satan prepared for this last terrible attack was by leading the Jewish nation and Christ's intimate followers to be unworthy of Christ's sacrifice and love. It was upon this unworthiness, held up without love or mercy mixed with it, that Satan, in his last desperate struggle for the supremacy, based his highest hopes of conquering the Son of God through his humanity. But Jesus, setting himself aside, remained true to his own decision: “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” O, for such matchless love let us continually praise God!

The “remnant” are still in the world. This same foe is still walking up and down, to and fro, throughout the earth. And the children of God are not yet all perfect. Sometimes evidences appear that envy and strife for place, or to be “accounted the greatest,” or selfishness in some other form still lingers in the hearts of the disciples. With such a display of infinite love as Jesus made, what about our loving our brethren and sisters, despite some imperfections, and that, too, to the end? That new commandment puts the obligation, in actual newness, squarely upon us, for it reads, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” It is as true of us as of the twelve, centuries ago, “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end;” for the promise is, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”