Did you ever ask, perhaps to your Mom or Dad when they went away, “Can we come too?” We naturally want to go with them because we love them. It was the same with Jesus’ friends. Of course they want to go where He’s going. But they can’t.
The moment of glory
Read John 13:31
• Who has just left the room (v 30)?
Now Jesus is alone with those who really love Him.
• What is about to happen?
“Glory” here is when the wonderful character of the Father and His Son Jesus are publicly seen. Amazingly, they will be seen most clearly at the cross.
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TIME OUT
If someone asked you what God is like, which bit of the Jesus story would you want to point them to? Christmas Day?
Easter morning? The ascension? Amazingly, the place where “what God is like” is most clearly seen is the cross.
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How to behave when He’s gone
ReadJohn 13:33
Jesus is leaving them, first when He dies, and then—after the resurrection appearances— when He finally ascends into heaven.
• What commandment does He give to show them how to behave when He is not physically with them?
• What do you think is “new” about this?
It’s not new to have to love one another. What is new is to love one another “as I have loved you”.
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APPLY
• Why do you think loving other Christians as Jesus loved us is the public identification marker of real disciples?
• What will it mean in practice for you with the Christians you know in your church?
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How to really follow Him
Read John 13:36
Peter seems to realise following Jesus isn’t going to be easy. But he thinks he can do it, and really wants to do it.
• What has Peter not understood about himself?
• What needed to happen before Peter could really become courageous under pressure?
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PRAY THRU
Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to work in you today, so that you’re able to stand up bravely for Him.
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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