What Jesus Did! 'Anguish' — John 13:20-22

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Your Support Matters!

Your donations are vital to help us keep the light shining.

 Donate Now
[To the disciples, Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me."

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!"

The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.

— John 13:20-22 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus felt anguish! His caring acts for his disciples were carried out as he battled his own personal anguish. His teaching of truth and service was shared with the disciples who would cause a significant part of that anguish. Think of it: God feels anguish at our betrayals and failures to be loyal to him. It is incredible that the infinite God would expose himself to the pain that could be inflicted on him by finite and mortal people he has made. But, God loves us. He chose to make us and to be involved in our lives. He has given us a choice to accept or reject him. He wants our love only if it is offered freely. No wonder we can cause him anguish! So let's love and serve him without bounds!

Today's Prayer

I am moved, Abba Father, to speechless wonder and awe that you should love me so. I know that I am physically just a speck of dust in comparison to the incredible expanse of your creation. Yet you know me, dear Lord, and it matters to you how I respond to your love. Please know, Father, that I choose to love, honor, and cherish you and live for your glory out of my appreciation of your love. In Jesus' name, I offer my thanks. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Genesis 6:5-6
  • Matthew 26:36-46
  • Luke 13:32-35

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, September 14, 2022

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Closing Words, Closing Grace'
"Dear Committed Follower, As Paul came to the end of his very challenging letter to the Corinthians, the letter you call 2 Corinthians, he had several..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Faith to See the Invisible God' (He. 11:26-27)
"[Moses] thought that being insulted for Christ would be better than having the treasures of Egypt. He was looking ahead to his reward. Faith led Moses..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'A Shelter for the Oppressed!' (Ps. 9:9-10)
"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Frank Laubach:
"The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that he says "Amen" and runs away before God has a chance to reply. Listening to God is far more important than....."

Illustration

Illustration of John 13:20-22 NLT — "I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me." —— "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!"

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.

More What Jesus Did!