Devotion for Friday 11/04/2025

John 13:1-2 (NLT)

1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

From chapter 13 onwards, the focus shifts primarily to Jesus' private teachings to His disciples in the hours leading up to His arrest, which begins in chapter 18.

Every word in verse 1 is rich with meaning; let us unpack them in an orderly sequence.

"Before the Passover" - The timing is the impending Passover—the annual remembrance and celebration of the Lamb of God who delivered His people from sin and bondage in Egypt. This foreshadows Jesus as the ultimate and final Lamb of God, who will be sacrificed to take away the sins of humanity.

"Jesus knew that His hour had come to leave this world and return to the Father" - Jesus was fully aware of everything unfolding around Him. He understood His purpose and destiny—to be offered as the ultimate sacrifice and to return to the Father in heaven. Humanly speaking, the phrase "His hour had come" carries a profound sense of foreboding.

"He had loved His disciples during His ministry on earth, and now He loved them to the very end" - As the closest disciple of Jesus, John records something he deeply felt and understood. He declares this truth before the unfolding of the passion narrative: Jesus loved His disciples to the very end.

Now, let us juxtapose the unchanging love of Christ with Judas' betrayal. How striking is this contrast? Judas had secretly conspired to hand Jesus over to His enemies, and yet, Jesus was fully aware of his treachery.

Here’s the crux: how do we love someone we know is actively betraying us?

In the following section, Jesus proceeds to wash the disciples' feet, demonstrating profound love and humility. Later, He explicitly addresses Judas and tells him to leave and complete his deceitful act (John 13:21).

The statement "He loved them to the very end" deeply resonates with me. While we may never have plotted betrayal against Jesus, how many times have we been disobedient and unfaithful in our walk with God?

"Love and betrayal"—the contrast is never as stark as at this moment in history.

Let us cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for Christ's unfailing love, and respond with greater devotion and love for God during the coming Holy Week.