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Session 34
The Night is Coming
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Opening Prayer
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.
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Bible Reading

John 13:12-38

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 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.
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Commentary
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Meditation Questions
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?
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Closing Prayer
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.
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Further Study
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