John 13:21-30
Be Still: Lord, open the eyes of my heart today, that I would see you more clearly and live more fully the life you have for me. Amen
Read: John 13:21-30
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, 'Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me. (v21)
Encounter: When the evenings get dark, it’s a chance inside our homes to get more cosy - perhaps lighting some candles or putting a favourite lamp on in the corner. Our passage ends with the ominous words 'and it was night'. It was dark outside, but there is nothing ‘cosy’ about what’s happening at the table. Jesus is ‘troubled in his spirit’. If even Jesus is troubled, there must be something really dark, really disturbing: Judas Iscariot begins his betrayal of Jesus.
Remember, Jesus has only just washed Judas’ feet. The inner darkness of Judas' extraordinary breaking of love and trust, is confirmed by John telling us that ‘Satan entered into him.'
Question: What would you have done at this point if you were Jesus, Son of God? I don’t think I would have let Judas leave the room. I would have used my power to stop him. We know Jesus had authority over the physical world and over the spiritual forces of darkness – by this point it’s been clearly demonstrated. Yet, Jesus, knowing all this, has just washed Judas’ feet. Wow! What grace. What commitment to calling. What dedication to surrender to the Father’s will. What peace that transcends all understanding must Jesus have carried in his heart and mind at this moment. All he says is 'What you are going to do, do quickly.'
Apply: Jesus shows incredible 'abiding' in the Father’s love and trust in his will. No matter what he was facing - even betrayal by those closest to him - he remains secure, loved by the Father, and unswerving in his commitment to follow through his calling.
How can you be more like that? What threatens to pull you away from God's calling? Don’t let it. Keep faith in your heavenly Father’s plans - no matter what comes.
Devote: Father, thank you that you were working with Jesus to keep him steadfast in trust and surrendered to your will. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh so I can be more like Jesus, fixing my eyes on what you have called me to.