APRIL 25 READING… JOHN 13
Jesus surprises the disciples in today’s reading. He humbles Himself and does the work of a servant. He was supposed to be the honored guest. We are told in tradition that Jesus sat in the seat of the honored guest at the table with His disciples. And this would have been extremely unusual for the honored one to serve others, especially in the washing of their feet…that was for the servants to do. Jesus demonstrated the true heart of a “servant-leader”. Peter tried to stop the Lord from doing this, and the Lord corrected him, saying that he must allow this, or he would have no part in Jesus. Jesus instructed His disciples to do the same thing toward each other. Jesus is our Master…and that which He did, we are called to do…for, “a servant is not greater than their master”.
Jesus reveals Judas as the betrayer…and tells him to go do what he has decided in his heart that he would do. Jesus then tells the other disciples that His departure was at hand. He then tells them that He has a new commandment for them…” To love one another as Christ has loved them.” This is how people will know that they are genuine followers of Jesus. Jesus then foretells that Peter would deny Him. Of course, Peter says that he would go wherever the Lord goes, and go through whatever the Lord goes through. We all have a commitment to the Lord, we believe we would follow Him no matter what the cost. Truth is our commitments are only as strong as we are…and we are not very strong. Look at Peter. It’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be able to stand in that day that we are called to stand.
Please share any thoughts you have from today’s reading.
TOMORROW'S READING…JOHN 14