The LORD God is the Creator of the ends of the earth. He has established laws in nature which govern all the processes of life–planting, growth, cultivation and harvest. These principles give us insight on how to conduct our lives, families, churches, and societies (to continue reading this essay, click on image above).
One of You Will Betray Me, John 13.21-32
In John 13.21-32, during the Last Supper, Jesus reveals the devastating truth that one of his own disciples will betray him. Troubled in spirit, Jesus announces this betrayal to his disciples, leaving them confused and questioning one another about who it might be. When prompted by Peter through the disciple whom Jesus loved, Jesus identifies his betrayer by giving a piece of bread to Judas Iscariot. After receiving the bread, Satan enters Judas, and Jesus instructs him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” The other disciples misunderstand this exchange, thinking Jesus is sending Judas on an errand. Judas then departs into the night, a powerful metaphor for his spiritual darkness. Following Judas’ departure, Jesus speaks of his imminent glorification and how God will be glorified in him. Jesus clearly testifies God’s foreknowledge of his betrayal, his sovereignty even amid treachery, and the paradoxical truth that his betrayal would initiate the events leading to his death—the very means by which he would be glorified.
Invocation
Sovereign Lord, we affirm today that you are God even over the darkest moments of betrayal and suffering in our lives. Open our hearts to the profound mystery that your Son Jesus found his path to glory through the very rejection that seemed most devastating. Grant us the faith to recognize your hand at work even when trusted relationships fail us or when our circumstances seem to contradict your goodness and love. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Chronological Scripture Readings for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the entire Bible in one year in chronological order.
Wednesday: Pss. 50; 73-74
Lectionary Readings for Today
Our readings from the Psalms, the Old Testament, the Gospels and the Epistles are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary for this Feast Day.
Psalm: Psalm 70
Old Testament (or Acts [during Eastertide]): Isaiah 50:4-9a
Gospel: John 13:21-32
New Testament: Hebrews 12:1-3
Click here for all of this week’s Scripture readings
Chronological Holy Week Readings for Today
Each year we read through the Holy Week Scriptures chronologically, tracking the events of Jesus’ final week leading up to death, burial and resurrection.
Wednesday: Matt. 26.1-16; Mark 14.1-2, 10-11; Luke 22.1-6
Click here for all of today’s Holy Week Scripture readings
Psalms and Proverb for Today
These Scriptures allow us to read through the Psalms and Proverbs each month.
Wednesday: Psalm 16, 46, 76, 106, 136 and Proverbs 16
Betrayal foretold: Jesus confronts his betrayer.
Jesus understands that one of his own disciples will be the one who betrays him to the authorities and commences the events leading to his death, John 13.21-32.
Reflection
In this text Jesus reveals the profound paradox that his path to glory runs directly through betrayal and suffering, challenging us to recognize God’s sovereignty even in life’s darkest moments. Though Jesus knew Judas would betray him, he still shared the intimate Passover meal with him, demonstrating extraordinary love toward the very one who would hand him over to death. The contrast between Judas departing into the night and Jesus speaking of glorification reminds us that what appears to be defeat from a human perspective can be the very means God uses to accomplish his redemptive purposes. When we face betrayal or rejection in our own lives, this passage invites us to follow Jesus’ example by remaining steadfast in our mission, trusting that God can work even through painful circumstances to fulfill His greater purposes.
Engaging God’s Word Today
In what situations in your life have you experienced betrayal or rejection? How does viewing these painful experiences through the lens of Jesus’ sovereignty—seeing how even betrayal became part of his path to glorification—transform your perspective and response to the trials you’re experiencing now?
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, The Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of God,
Begotten of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God,
Begotten not created, of the same essence as the Father,
through Whom all things were made.
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became human.
Who for us too, was crucified under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried.
The third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and His kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and life-giver,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
Who together with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified.
Who spoke by the prophets.
We believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sin,
and we look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Benediction
Most High God, the One who transformed the darkness of betrayal into the light of resurrection give us eyes to see your redemptive purposes unfolding even in our most painful circumstances. May Christ’s example of steadfast love toward Judas empower us to respond to those who hurt us with dignity, wisdom, and the possibility of grace rather than bitterness. And when we walk through our own dark nights of confusion or rejection, may we hold fast to the promise that glorification awaits us on the other side of faithful endurance. Amen.
Scripture Memory for this season
John 15.1-5 (ESV):
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Scripture Engagement
As disciples of Jesus, the Churches of Christ the King strongly seek to engage the Scriptures to discover the centrality of Christ and his Kingdom in the prophetic and apostolic writings. You will find a rich treasure of resources on engaging Scripture at the Center for Scripture Engagement of Taylor University.
Book Reading and Reflection
The implicit assumption behind any goal is this: “Once I reach my goal, then I’ll be happy.” The problem with a goals-first mentality is that you’re continually putting happiness off until the next milestone. I’ve slipped into this trap so many times I’ve lost count. For years, happiness was always something for my future self to enjoy. I promised myself that once I gained twenty pounds of muscle or after my business was featured in the New York Times, then I could finally relax. Furthermore, goals create an “either-or” conflict: either you achieve your goal and are successful or you fail and you are a disappointment. You mentally box yourself into a narrow version of happiness.
This is misguided. It is unlikely that your actual path through life will match the exact journey you had in mind when you set out. It makes no sense to restrict your satisfaction to one scenario when there are many paths to success. A systems-first mentality provides the antidote. When you fall in love with the process rather than the product, you don’t have to wait to give yourself permission to be happy. You can be satisfied anytime your system is running. And a system can be successful in many different forms, not just the one you first envision.
~ Clear, James, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Random House Business, London SW1V 2SA, 2018. Location 376.
Seedling Focus for the Season: The Vine and the Branches
Description: Pruning is a necessary part of growth, both in plans and in our spiritual lives. God’s discipline may seem painful, but it produces greater fruitfulness, John 15.1-5.
On Eagles Wings Prayer Focus: A Long Time Comin‘
But If It Dies: Die to bear fruit, John 12.20-36.
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