Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Saturday after Judica Sunday

Posted on April 4, 2020 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. John 13:16-38 (NKJV)

13:16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”

Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”

37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”

38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

Devotion

The Lord Jesus is troubled in His spirit because one of His disciples will betray Him. This shows our Lord’s compassion for us poor, miserable sinners. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, troubled Him in His spirit when they ate from the tree in the Garden of Eden from which they were not to eat. And that was the beginning of an entire people sinning and betraying Him. We also sin against Him and betray Him with our daily sinful thoughts, words, and deeds.

But our Lord Jesus in His compassion does not leave us, nor forsake us. He instead comes down from His heavenly throne and takes upon Himself our flesh, so that through the betrayal of His disciple Judas Iscariot He might be turned over to evil men, in order that He might suffer and die to redeem us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He loves us so much that He bears the trouble and sorrow that we cause, in order that we might have life and salvation.

Our Lord’s compassionate heart aches for His creation. It aches for those who forsake and betray Him daily. He continues to call all peoples to Himself. He called His disciples to take heed of His betrayal, letting them know that even though He knew this was going to happen, He willingly endured it for their benefit. He continues to let us know that He loves us by preaching into our ears what He has done for us, in order to redeem us and bring us into our eternal home in Heaven.

Prayer: We beseech Thee, Almighty God, mercifully to look upon Thy people, that by Thy great goodness they may be governed and preserved evermore in body and soul; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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