Scripture to Read: John 13:31–33
Jesus and the eleven disciples are still in the upper room. Judas had left to fulfill his betrayal of Jesus, but Jesus took the time to deeply invest in the eleven who remained with Him. Jesus said in John 13:31–33, "Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus *said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’" Jesus knew that His mock trial, crucifixion, death, and resurrection would all bring glory to God the Father and that God the Father would glorify His Son through it all. Everything God does in and through us is for His glory, not ours. We must live our lives daily for the glory of God, recognizing that we are His servants created in Christ Jesus for His good works (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus continued to try to prepare His disciples for what was about to happen over the next three days and to get them ready for His departure. Jesus told them that they would not be coming with Him. It’s hard to imagine what they were thinking. They had been with Jesus for three years, and in this passage, He reminds them that His time with them is coming to a close. But Jesus does not leave them hopeless.
Challenge & Application
• What do you think it would have been like to live with Jesus in the flesh for three years?
• Since Christ lives in you through His Holy Spirit, how do you stay fresh in your fellowship with Him and His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!