Today's journey takes us to the heart of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. We'll witness Jesus'
profound act of love—accomplishing what we could never achieve ourselves—and discover how this transformative
truth becomes the wellspring of authentic Christian love.
John 13:21-38
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of
you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom
Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was
speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is
he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it
to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to
him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought
that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should
give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is
glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little
while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am
going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another. By this all people 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 him, “Where I am going you
cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 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? Truly, truly, I say to you,
the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
The Betrayer
Betrayal of Love
Hardening Heart
Love Demonstrated
Denial Foretold
Why would Jesus choose Judas as a disciple, knowing he would ultimately betray him?
What made Judas' act of betrayal particularly wicked compared to other betrayals?
How would you define idolatry in today's context?
What are some practical ways to recognize when something has become an idol in your
life?
How do you respond to the reality that God chooses whom he loves?
If God is sovereign over all things, how can we be held accountable for our choices?
What sets Christianity's call to love apart from other religious or philosophical
teachings?
What are the implications of Jesus' defeat of death?
What were the two flaws in Peter's reasoning when he promised to stick by Jesus?
Let us give thanks for Christ's victory over death and the salvation he has made possible. Ask for wisdom to
wrestle honestly with the mystery of God's sovereignty. If you haven't yet placed your trust in Christ, invite
God to draw you to himself, to free you from any idols that bind you, and to embrace the hope he offers.
Why Did Jesus Choose Judas?
Free Will and Divine Sovereignty
What Does "Satan Entered into Him" Mean?
What Is Idolatry?
Four Signs Food Has Become an Idol
Why Does God Choose Some and Not Others?
Judas's Betrayal
God's Sovereignty and Man's Responsibility
Hardened by the Deceitfulness of Sin
The Way God Loves You
"Love"