John 13:21-32

Be Still: Lord, I surrender all distraction. Still my heart and mind so I can hear you speak. Remind me of the depth of your sacrificial love for me. Fill me with your presence in this moment. Amen.

Read: John 13:21-32

Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.' (v 26)

 Encounter: When someone wrongs us, sometimes our instinct is to give them a taste of their own medicine. I remember as a teenager being in a restaurant with a friend. My friend was unhappy about her dessert and complained about it pretty rudely. On her fourth complaint, the employee, unable to take any more of my friend’s behaviour, took her plate and spat in her ice cream. There was uproar!! 

Part of human nature wants to respond to wrong-doing with retaliation, but that’s not Jesus’ heart at all. In today’s passage, Jesus is at the last supper, fully aware that Judas is about to betray him. Despite knowing this, Jesus dips bread in a dish and offers it to Judas, a sign of friendship and honour in that culture. Even though betrayal was on its way, Jesus offered Judas respect and kindness. This reminds us that Jesus does not withdraw his love in the presence of disloyalty. He doesn’t measure how devoted we are to him before offering his whole self to us.

Judas may represent the parts of us that sit close to Jesus but are not fully surrendered to him. In our lives, this might look like consulting Jesus on our plans but holding tight to control; or serving in public but privately compromising our faith. The truth is nothing is hidden from Jesus, he knows everything about us, our failures, motives, and desires, and still offers us bread daily, drawing us close and inviting us into intimacy with him.

Jesus loves us faithfully, even when we fall short – this unconditional love should transform us and lead us in return to want to love him as faithfully.

Apply: As you reflect in this moment, remind yourself of the times you experienced the kindness of Jesus even when it was underserved. Thank him for his faithfulness, and rest in the truth that his grace covers you.

Devote: Thank you Jesus that your desire is to be in close relationship with me. Thank you that there is nothing I can do to separate myself from your love for me.