What Jesus Did! 'Preparing Them in His Moment of Sorrow' — John 13:18-19

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[To the disciples, Jesus continued,] "I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, 'The one who eats my food has turned against me.' I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah."
— John 13:18-19 NLT

Key Thought

Nothing hurts quite like someone you love betraying you. Jesus knows what is going on with Judas. He also knows that the rest of the Twelve will turn away from him for at least a little while. He knows he is going to die a horrible and humiliating death. Despite his upcoming betrayal, abandonment, and suffering, Jesus works to prepare his disciples. He gives them seeds of faith that will germinate after the horrors of the next few days are past. His example of sacrificial love and service is a powerful one for us when we face our ending days. How can we prepare those we love for our absence? How can we soften the blow to them? How can we help them have faith after we are gone? These questions shouldn't be ours only in our old age; rather, they should be the questions which guide our daily lives before those we love!

Today's Prayer

God of grace and mercy, give me the courage to live my life in ways that will inspire those I love to believe now as well as after I am gone from them. Use my life to sow the seeds of lasting faith in the hearts of those I love. Especially, dear Father, please help me reach ... with your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
  • Philippians 4:9
  • 2 Timothy 2:1-2

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Illustration

Illustration of John 13:18-19 NLT — "I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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