John Chapter 13: Verse 21 (NIV)
After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
At some point in our lives, we may have been hurt or let down by the actions of others. Sometimes it is unintentional, and things can be put right by sorting out any misunderstanding. Occasionally it may be the result of a deliberate action, such as Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. And that feels awful, doesn’t it? However, we may never have considered that it feels just like that for Jesus and His Father. This verse gives us just a brief glimpse of that. Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray Him, and the chain of events that would ensue from that betrayal. He was fully man as well as fully God, and He felt the pain of that betrayal.
We should never think that our choices and behaviour, when it goes against what God wants for us, doesn’t hurt Him. We can be guilty of dismissing offhand what God says, especially if we don’t like it or don’t want to do it. We should never take God lightly. God sent His only Son for us. Jesus suffered and died for us. They love us! Let’s do our best not to return that love with hurt – even when we don’t mean to. Later that evening Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” (John Chapter 14: Verse 15)
Dear Lord,
Help me to show You my love by being obedient. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.