DAY THIRTY-SEVEN – Wednesday, March 31, 2021
John 13:21-38
After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples–the one whom Jesus loved–was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”
All of us have gone on journeys. Traveling away from home and at times leaving some family members at home. Your home is probably no different than ours! What has always been important to the saying good-bye is the answers to five very important questions: Where are you going? How long will you be gone? Can we come with you? Who will stay with us? When will you be back? Over and over we answer the questions with specific information. Then you would add some advice. “Don’t argue. Take care of the cats and always get along and love each other.
When Jesus was leaving his disciples to return to his Father, he didn't leave without saying good-bye. And the questions his children asked were the same our children used to ask. Jesus answered with specific clarity to their questions. He gave his disciples some special instructions. Love one another and take care of each other. He reminded them that the way they treated each other would tell the world about their Christian family and to always remember whose children they belonged to.
So, we must remember that when problems come up, or when we feel lonely or afraid Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be with us.
God Bless
Bonnie Solomon (2016)
John 13:21-38
After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples–the one whom Jesus loved–was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterwards.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.”
All of us have gone on journeys. Traveling away from home and at times leaving some family members at home. Your home is probably no different than ours! What has always been important to the saying good-bye is the answers to five very important questions: Where are you going? How long will you be gone? Can we come with you? Who will stay with us? When will you be back? Over and over we answer the questions with specific information. Then you would add some advice. “Don’t argue. Take care of the cats and always get along and love each other.
When Jesus was leaving his disciples to return to his Father, he didn't leave without saying good-bye. And the questions his children asked were the same our children used to ask. Jesus answered with specific clarity to their questions. He gave his disciples some special instructions. Love one another and take care of each other. He reminded them that the way they treated each other would tell the world about their Christian family and to always remember whose children they belonged to.
So, we must remember that when problems come up, or when we feel lonely or afraid Jesus and the Holy Spirit will be with us.
God Bless
Bonnie Solomon (2016)
