Th.9.24.15...Devotion and Betrayal, part 2...John 13:21-38

Yesterday we read about Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. He set us an example to cleanse the dirt of sin from each other. This is essential for a couple, a family and a team to work together. While washing their feet, Jesus made a cryptic statement, "You are clean, but not all of you." Thankfully John deciphers it for us. "For he knew who was going to betray him, and that is why he said not every one was clean." 13:10-11. Let's jump right into our reading today about the betrayal- John 13:21-30. To get a running start, begin reading at 13:18 and continue for now through 13:30. You'll notice right off the bat, that the very heel of Judas which Jesus just washed, will be lifted up against him. But things were not getting out of control, as you might expect in a typical story of betrayal. This event was predicted in Ps.41:9 a thousand years earlier. Wow!

Are you done reading John 13:21-30? Did you notice how John ends that betrayal passage with Satan entering Judas? He ends it on a dark and ominous note- "And it was night." This is good literature! John wasn't obsessed with telling us what time of day things happened. He uses night as the backdrop for the evil plotted. John had earlier recorded, "Men loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil" 3:19. At his arrest, Jesus declares, "This is your hour when darkness reigns" Luke 22:53. And at his crucifixion, darkness came over the land, Luke 23:44. 

In light of this dark hour (pun intended), Jesus now begins to train his 11 warriors for worldwide impact (Read John 13:31-38). He gives them a powerful command. But rather than calling them warriors, he calls them "My children" 13:33. Victory begins, not by amassing the most weapons, but by knowing you and I are dearly loved children. Children!? Children on the verge of a dark battle? Children are so helpless. There are so many things children can't do that soldiers can. But children can trust and children can love. I love the love and hugs of little children! Yes, of course they can be brats as well. But a loving child is wonderful and exerts a powerful influence on others. I heard one grandpa say when his little grandchild hugged him and patted his face, "Okay, what color of car do you want?" Yes, love is so influential. If we want to really influence the lost toward Christ, it will be by our love. Surprisingly, Jesus revealed that it not so much of our acclaimed love for him, but our love for one another that influences the world. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" 13:35. 

The early church took seriously this command to love one another. The pagans were apt to declare, "Behold, how they love one another." A Greek philosopher named Aristides wrote out his speech in 125 AD for the Roman emperor Hadrian about those loving Christians-  "...if one or other of them have bondmen and bondwomen or children, through love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have done so, they call them brethren without distinction. They do not worship strange gods, and they go their way in all modesty and cheerfulness. Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another,"

If we in M3 are going to make a significant impact on other men, it will be by our love for one another. Don't get me wrong, I think we have a great army of loving men. But as Paul said regarding showing love, "We urge you to do so more and more" 1 Th.4:10. Without love we are nothing (see 1 Cor.13). That is why we will continue to stress being devoted to one another in brotherly love (Rom.12:10). Your wingmen and squad members are a good test case of your brotherly love. So evaluate your love. Here's a couple ways to look at it- responsive love and initiating love. Responsive love is how you respond when someone reaches out to you. For example, how good are you at responding to a brothers call or text promptly?  To not do so is rude, especially in M3. That is part of our pledged code of conduct to one another. You owe your brother a sincere apology if you fail to return a call or text promptly in which he is asking for your response. 

Initiating love, unlike responsive love, is active, not passive. It's where I pick up the phone to call, rather than waiting for someone to call me. Here are examples in scripture of loving one another in this initiating manner (Such love is also a powerful weapon, like a spear against the enemy who seeks to divide us or overpower one of your brothers. So use your S.P.E.A.R!)

Serve Gal.5:13; Spur on to love Heb.10:24; Submit Eph.5:21; Speak scripture to one another Eph.5:19; Col.3:16

Pray for, confess and forgive one another- Ja.5:16; Col.3:13

Encourage 2 Cor.13:11; 1 Th.4:18; 5:11; Heb.3:13; 10:25. Eliminate evil thoughts toward one another Zech 7:10

Accept one another as Christ has accepted you- Rom.15:17. Admonish  one another- Col.3:16.

Regard one another with honor- 1 Th.5:13; Rom.12:10 

A number of these go right along with what we already do in M3. We share God's word with one another on the blog and via other means. We pray for each other. We encourage one another. We regard one another with honor, returning calls promptly and honoring those who serve God and others well.  

1.- In light of this supreme importance of being devoted to one another in brotherly love, write out the following verse on your MP3 card- "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" John 13:35. Then simply write Did it, when you did it. 

As always, be on the look out to share Scripture with others. 

2.- Share one thing that impressed you from the blog and/or our readings today.

3.- Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. So get in touch with your fire team brothers and find out how they are doing.  Also find out who they are seeking to recruit. Then pray for each other. (I'll ask you tomorrow who you called :)