The Gospel of John: John 13.27-38

Read and meditate on John 13.28-30.
The disciples were clueless, because they were trapped in their experience, rather than informed by the revelation of Christ. We’re not different.

                                                               ²⁸But no
one seated at the table seemed to know
why Jesus said this to him. ²⁹Some supposed,
since Judas kept the money, he would go
and buy the things they needed for the feast,
or give some money to the poor, at least.
³⁰When Judas had received the bread, he went
out straight away, and it was night.

- John 13.28-30

Reflect
1.  John said “no one” understood Jesus’ instruction to Judas. He had just asked about the identity of the betrayer, and Jesus had answered him in clear and dramatic fashion. How could John have failed to understand Jesus’ instruction to Judas? Are we ever like this? Complete this prayer: Lord, I admit, there are times when I read Your Word and seem to hear Your voice, but then…

2.  In the disciples’ experience, Judas had often been sent to handle certain matters relating to the “money box.” Then they heard Jesus’ words to him in that light. Is there a danger that Christians can get stuck in their experience, so that they cannot hear what God is saying to them in His Word, or envision any new things happening in their lives? Explain. You are making all things new, Lord, and You are making me a new creation. Do not allow me to be trapped in my experience, lest…

3.  Clearly, the disciples were in the dark concerning Jesus’ instructions to Judas. We’ve already seen that they had been arguing about which of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom. Now we find them trapped in their experience and thus unable to understand the Lord’s Word. Besides self-interest and our limited experiences, what other obstacles can leave us in the dark when it comes to understanding God’s will? Let the light of Your truth shine in me, Lord, to overcome the darkness of…

4.  Ominously, John reports that Judas, having received the bread, “went out immediately. And it was night.” Do you see something symbolic in John’s making the point of telling us it was night? What was night? Let Your light shine on, in, and through me daily, Lord, lest the night of self and doubt…

5.  Beginning in verse 31, Jesus will give His disciples the most important and most hopeful instructions they have heard from Him yet. He will remind them of His purpose in calling them. He will promise great works to be done through them. He will warn them of trials, but assure them of His presence and strength. He will explain the coming of the Spirit and what He will do in and through them. He will assure them of His peace, and of a greater day of glory yet to come. But before He launched into this high and holy revelation, Judas had to exit. Is there anything symbolic in this? Any guidance for us in seeking the Lord’s will and power? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“‘And it was night,’ has not been interjected in vain by the Evangelist. The perceptible night at that time was symbolic, being an image of the night that was in Judas’s soul when Satan, the darkness that lies over the abyss, entered him.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

How can we keep from living in the “night”?

Closing Prayer
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121.1-8

Psalm 121.1-8 (Duke Street: Jesus Shall Reign)
I lift up my eyes up to the heights:
Whence comes my help by day, by night?
My help comes from the Lord above!
He made creation by His love!

God will not let our footsteps fall;
He will preserve us all in all.
He does not slumber, does not sleep;
God will His chosen people keep.

You are our Keeper and our Shade;
You have our debt of sin repaid!
You will preserve us by Your might;
Naught shall afflict us day or night.

Lord, You will guard our lives from ill;
You will our trembling souls keep still.
All our endeavors You will guard;
Eternal praise be Yours, O Lord!

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.