God’s Renewing Word of Love
Introduction
John 13:21-35: Jesus predicts his betrayal by Judas, and he gives his disciples a new commandment about loving one another.
Scripture Reading
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
(Matthew 26.20-25; Mark 14.17-21; Luke 22.21-23)
21After Jesus had said this, he was deeply troubled and declared openly, “I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me.”
22The disciples looked at one another, completely puzzled about whom he meant. 23One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus. 24Simon Peter motioned to him and said, “Ask him whom he is talking about.”
25So that disciple moved closer to Jesus’ side and asked, “Who is it, Lord?”
26Jesus answered, “I will dip some bread in the sauce and give it to him; he is the man.” So he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Hurry and do what you must!” 28None of the others at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas was in charge of the money bag, some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told him to go and buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
30Judas accepted the bread and went out at once. It was night.
The New Commandment
31After Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man’s glory is revealed; now God’s glory is revealed through him. 32And if God’s glory is revealed through him, then God will reveal the glory of the Son of Man in himself, and he will do so at once. 33 My children, I shall not be with you very much longer. You will look for me; but I tell you now what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You cannot go where I am going.’ 34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
Today’s Key Verse: John 13:34
[Jesus said:] “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Reflect
In today’s reading, Jesus gives a new commandment—to love one another in the same way that he has shown his love for people. In what ways do you and your community of faith make Jesus’s love known to others? Based on today’s and yesterday’s readings, how has Jesus made God and God’s love known?
Pray
Lord Jesus, as you have loved me, may I, in turn, love others as you have commanded. May my words and actions this day be in accord with your will and give honor and glory to you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 14:1-14: Jesus is the way to God the Father.