Have you ever known the pain of betrayal by a close friend? If you’re honest (which, of course, you are), did you want to let everyone in your circle know about the betrayal?
It’s astounding how Jesus doesn’t do that when he knows Judas is going to betray him. What’s even more amazing is Jesus makes no last-minute effort to stop Judas from what he was going to do!
As we continue to look to the gospel of John for how we can live wisely and fully engaged, we see in chapters 13-14 these significant discoveries:
1. Jesus wasn’t thrown off course by Judas’ betrayal. When we experience betrayal, we also don’t have to be knocked out of commission. Neither do we have to call it to everyone’s attention in the moment. Sooner or later, the truth has a way of coming out – just as it did with Judas.
2. Jesus modeled the necessity of sometimes giving people warnings about their direction. But the point isn’t to shame or condemn but to let them know we’re here to keep loving them even when they fail.
3. Actions do speaker louder than words. Jesus makes it clear love for him results in doing what he says we should and not doing what he says is wrong.
4. Unity with those who share our love for Christ is our #1 life purpose. Oh, so easy to say; so hard to live!
5. Understanding our origin and knowing our destination empowers us to live out our callings on earth. Not just origin in the “evolution vs. creation” since, but origin as in how we grew up. This isn’t an exercise in parent-shaming but in accepting the humility none of us are self-made people.
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