Scripture to Read: John 13:19
Jesus also told the disciples in John 13:19, “From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.” Jesus did not want His disciples to doubt that He was the promised Messiah foretold through the Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus knew that His mock trial and His crucifixion would take place over the next several hours. Jesus told them that to verify that He was God in the flesh, He would tell them things that were going to happen so that when those things actually did happen, they would know they were following the one True God. Jesus knew His disciples’ faith in Him was about to be challenged in a way that would be more difficult than anything they had yet faced. Jesus was preparing them for the fiery trial they were about to walk into. Though Jesus had told His disciples several times before about His crucifixion, none of them fully comprehended that it would actually happen. We must remember that at this point, the disciples did not yet have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, so their spiritual insight completely depended on them trusting every word that came out of Jesus’ mouth. As Christians, we not only have the Holy Spirit living in us, but we also have the complete revelation of God’s Word to guide us. There is no reason for us not to know and trust that Jesus is God and that His Word is Truth! Therefore, we must obey Him and His Truth daily.
Challenge & Application
• Why did Jesus plan to tell the disciples everything that would happen before it happened?
• Why is it essential for us to know and fully understand that Jesus is omniscient, knowing past, present, and all future?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!