9/13/09

Good morning everyone todays passage comes from John 13: 21-38

John 13:21-38 (New International Version)

21After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"

26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him,[a] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

36Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

37Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

38Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!


John took time to describe thee moments in clear detatil. Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew that Judas would betray him and Peter would deny hime , but he still continued to love both of them. Jesus already knows when and how we are going to hurt him, yet he still loves us unconditionally and will forgive us whenever we ask for it. Judas couldn't understand this and had a tragic ending to his life. Peter did understand it and he went on to live a triumphant life for the Lord because he held firmly to his faith in the Lord. Keep your faith in the Lord no matter what you may do or no matter what happens to you. You were created for a purpose and you are no accident. God knew about you all along.

Our Heavenly father, Lord thank-you for this day. It is a day that we recognize as one to worship you. Please help us to remember that we should worship you everyday. Lord I ask that you forgive me where I fail you. Convict my heart not to sin so easily. Make the things of this world so unattractive that I will not even have a desire to engage in them. I pray all those unspoken prayers. Thank you for all the blessings in my life. There are so many. Thank you for allowing me such a wonderful place to go discuss your name today. Thank you for such and awesome family of believers to participate in worshiping you with. I am so happy that you revealed to me what great people they are as you knew I needed them. I lift your name on high, and I ask for continued peace and strength. In your holy name I pray.......amen