Day 26
Love in Action
Read John 13:21-38
Summary
Jesus became troubled and revealed that one of His disciples would betray Him.
The disciples were confused, and Peter prompted Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, to ask Jesus who the traitor was.
Jesus identified Judas as the culprit by giving him a morsel of bread. In Jesus’ time, it was a great honour for a guest to receive food from the host.
Jesus was giving Judas the last chance to repent from his evil intention when Judas received the bread. It was Jesus’ way of loving Judas to the end. However, Judas did not repent and continued to eat the bread as if nothing was happening.
It was then that Satan entered into Judas, and he departed into the night. Judas never saw the morning light as he killed himself that night.
In Jesus’ most intimate moment with His disciples, He issued a new commandment to them: that they would love one another just as He had loved them.
As Jesus talked about His impending departure and glorification, Peter asserted his deep loyalty for his Lord. Jesus predicted that Peter would soon deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.
Reflect
1. How do Jesus’ acts - washing Judas’ feet and giving him the morsel of bread - demonstrate His unconditional love for Judas? What can you learn from Jesus regarding our call to love even our enemies? (Matthew 5:43-44)
2. Is there someone who has wronged you and is undeserving of your love? Are you able to forgive the person and love him/her as Jesus has loved you? Think of some concrete actions that you can take in the coming days.
3. Meditate on Jesus’ new commandment in v 34. To what extent should we love one another? Can this depth of love be accomplished through our human effort alone? Who would we need to help us love supernaturally? (Galatians 5:22-25)
Watch
Videos used with permission by Michael Hoff
YouTube.com/@digitaltheologian
www.digitaltheologian.com
The video highlights the tension of light versus darkness, and God versus Satan. Jesus loved His disciples unconditionally while Judas was prompted by Satan to betray Jesus.
Reflect
4. Read Matthew 26:14-16 and John 3:2 and 27. Who was responsible for betraying Jesus? Judas or Satan? What does Judas’ betrayal teach us about the dynamics between our carnal desires and Satan’s temptation? How can we keep our hearts from falling into temptation? (Matthew 26:41, 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Closing Prayer
Pray for the grace to love others as Jesus has loved you. Ask for the humility to serve, the courage to forgive, and the strength to love even those who may hurt or betray you.