Ignoring the Shame
April 5, 2023 - Wednesday of Holy Week
John 13:21-32 | Hebrews 12:1-3 | Gospels in Lent Track: Matthew 23-24
As you read John today, remember that this is in the midst of a meal in John 13. Jesus has just washed the disciples’ feet and shared in the evening meal (we’ll read that tomorrow). We might consider this a pretty intimate time with his closest followers and friends before his time on the cross comes.
Even through such an ancient text written almost 2000 years ago, you can feel the tension and confusion in Jesus and his disciples.
John 13:21-32
After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”
His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. After Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” No one sitting at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas kept the money bag, Jesus told him, “Go, buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So when Judas took the bread, he left immediately. And it was night.
When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately.
Hebrews 12:1-3
So then, with endurance, let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Let’s throw off any extra baggage, get rid of the sin that trips us up, and fix our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God’s throne.
Think about the one who endured such opposition from sinners so that you won’t be discouraged and you won’t give up.
Prayer
God,
Forgive me for the times when I’ve assumed that if I could have just walked with you 2000 years ago, I’d understand better. I’d understand you and what you want from me all the more. You can’t blame me for thinking this way…right?
But when I read these passion stories, I see that even being in the room with you guarantees no righteousness and no sure wisdom. I have been Judas. I have been Peter. I’ve been the silent disciple, just watching to see what would happen. And by your grace, I’ve been “the one whom Jesus loves.”
Love me this day, Jesus. And love the world through me.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.