10/13/19
Scripture Reading
John 13:21-30, NRSV
21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Devotion
God places us around people. And we work with people. We also live in communities with people. People are everywhere. We would have to go out of the world to not be around people.
Some people are our friends. Some people pretend to be our friends. Some are not our friends. Some are our friends but may not always be a good friend.
We are also someone’s friend. And we may not always be a good friend. We may also be a bad friend.
So, what is the purpose of friendship? What is the purpose of people and relationships?
Some people are not our friends. And they let us know that they are not our friends by their attitude, words, and actions that often proceed from their inner thoughts about us. They show that they do not like us in verbal and nonverbal ways.
We may sometimes have to endure difficult relationships, relationships where we are made the target of someone’s unkind thoughts, words, or actions. But we are in good company.
Jesus lived in close quarters with his betrayer. The one who dipped his bread in the bowl with him was his betrayer.
So, what are we to do with our betrayer? What are we to do with our adversary?
We may do what Jesus did and let unfold what will unfold, and let God’s will be done. God’s will will be done in the adversary’s life and it will be done in our own life.
We need to be obedient to God’s plan for us, to be who God has made us to be. And by doing that, we may be a light to others and a mirror of God’s image so that others may see and know God, be reformed, and become a part of God’s kingdom.
Let us pray
We thank you, God, for the example you have given us in Jesus. Through Jesus, you show us how to live in close quarters or in relation to those who may be our betrayers, who may be unkind, and who may not have our best interest in heart. God, help us to be consistent in our walk with you. Help us to be like Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions as we learn to live and mature in our relationships with others. Let us be like mirrors that reflect God’s image so others may see and know you when they look at us. That is our purpose. Enable us, by your Spirit, to walk in your purpose with truth, humility, peace, joy, and love.
Amen.
Rev. Karen Jenkins, FMCUSA
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