Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

For the love of Jesus

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

John 13:21
Reclining at table with his disciples, Jesus was deeply troubled and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

Not just one, actually. Judas conspired with the authorities and identified Jesus to the capturing soldiers. Peter underestimated his fear and overestimated his confidence; within hours of swearing his allegiance he denied even knowing Jesus. Three times.

It's hard for me to be self-righteous. I know how silent I can be in moments when Jesus' name begs to be spoken. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am right there with you," Jesus says. So why don't I even mention his name?

But I'm thinking about Jesus, not Judas or Peter or me. He was "deeply troubled." He and his disciples were celebrating Passover and eating the Seder meal. Usually there is ceremonial washing of the hands, but Jesus passed over this tradition and washed his disciples' feet. Then he spoke. "One of you will betray me."

I don't think he pinched Judas' feet when he washed them. He didn't grab him by the ankles and throw him to the ground. He didn't cast him out. And he did none of that to Peter.

Jesus dipped bread in wine and gave it to Judas. Later he told the remaining disciples, "Eat this bread and drink this wine. It is my body and blood. I do this to give myself to you." Judas would later be gone, so he gave him his share early.

Like the prodigal father of his parable, Jesus couldn't stop loving Judas. It just wasn't in him. It wasn't in him after his resurrection, when he taught Peter what he meant by "Feed my sheep." He fed and clothed Peter in the garment of forgiveness, and Peter rose up a new man.

Jesus doesn't stop loving me, either. It just isn't in him. But when I'm in a conflict with someone, he's just as much in the other corner as he is in mine. Standing beside me, leaning over, wiping the blood and sweat off my face, looking deeply into my eyes, giving me permission to leave the fight if I think it's the right thing to do. And I know the same thing is happening to my adversary. Jesus never stops with a command; he shows how to love my enemy.

Many people considered Jesus to be their enemy; he considered none of them his. As Eckhard Tolle points out in The Power of Now, "Love your enemies, of course, means have no enemies."

Let your justice rescue and deliver me, O Lord. I have depended on you from birth; from my mother's womb you are my strength. Let me sing day by day of your salvation.

Devotions Archive

For the love of Jesus

Tuesday, April 7, 2009