Scripture to Read: John 13:21
Jesus was preparing His disciples for His imminent crucifixion, but the disciples were still clueless about what would happen even though Jesus did all He could to get them ready. So, we read in John 13:21, When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” Jesus was “troubled,” which meant that He was deeply grieving. Jesus not only grieved over what He was about to face through His trial and crucifixion, but He grieved for the soul of Judas. Jesus loved Judas; He had chosen Judas to follow Him and wanted Judas to surrender to Him, but Jesus, knowing all things, knew Judas would not willingly surrender to Him. Jesus felt the grief of knowing He would lose Judas and that Judas would be Satan’s tool. The unconditional love that God, through Jesus Christ, has for His creation is unfathomable. God says it beautifully as He led Paul to write in Ephesians 3:7–8, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ. It’s hard for us to understand the depth of God’s love, kindness, mercy, and grace toward all of us made in His image or the depth of His grief for those who refuse Him. Let’s obey Him and not bring Him anymore grieving (Ephesians 4:30).
Challenge & Application
• What encourages you about the grieving that Jesus had for Judas and for others still today?
• How are you guarding your life from grieving God the Holy Spirit in you (Ephesians 4:30)?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!