Intro: I am comfortable when I have a plan, but I realize no matter how well I may seek to organize my life and the events around me, I will never know exactly what is going to happen. You and I can honestly say, “I don’t know what the day, week, month, or year looks like.” Do you realize nothing ever takes Jesus by surprise, because he knows all things? Therefore, you and I must be content with making plans to the best of our knowledge unless the Spirit of Christ reveals something different.
In our passage today, Jesus knows Judas is going to betray him. Jesus knows; yet, he never loses his focus on his part in the Father’s plan. Jesus knows he is going to die; yet, he never tries to stop the Father’s plan. All he can think of is pleasing the Father and preparing his disciples for his death. He tells his followers what is most important for them to know for the future, “Love each other just as much as I have loved you.” Even though the Old Testament commands of God laid out the foundation for love, Jesus set a new standard of love for us to follow. He revealed his love of the Father, as well as his love for his human creation in practical ways. This world produces a poor imitation of love; it actually rejects Christ’s sacrificial love. Therefore, as believers we must reveal the glorious Truth. We will know true believers by acting according to Christ’s standard of love. Our days and our tomorrows are known only to God, but whatever days we are given we must live them in Christ’s love.
John 13:31-35 (TPT)
31 After Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the glory of God to surround the Son of Man, and God will be greatly glorified through what happens to me. 32 And very soon God will unveil the glory of the Son of Man.
33 “My dear friends, [children] I only have a brief time left to be with you. And then you will search and long for me. But I tell you what I told the Jewish leaders: you’ll not be able to come where I am.
34 “So I give you now a new [standard of love] commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. 35 For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.”
Prayer: Lord, thank you for holding my days and my tomorrows. This brings me peace and comfort, because I know you love me and will make sure I am ready for each day. Help me to love according to your standard. Cause me to be victorious in your glorious love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.