How Things Look

How Things Look

Bible: John 13:1-22

Reading

Whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me (V.20).

It’s in our nature to make judgements based on how things look to us. We say, for example, that some people look guilty or seem trustworthy. But history’s biggest villain didn’t look guilty at all.

Judas was one of Jesus closest friends. John tells us, “The devil had already prompted Judas … to betray Jesus” (JOHN 13:2). Then Jesus showed His friends what serving leadership looks like by washing their feet. After that He told them, “He who shared my bread has turned against me” (V.18). The disciples didn’t get it, so He told them clearly, “One of you is going to betray me” (V.21). Still they remained “at a loss to know which of them he meant” (V.22). They never thought it would be Judas. He looked just like the rest of them: a good friend of Jesus.

But in the middle of this uncomfortable scene, Jesus said something else no one saw coming. He told His friends, “Whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me” (V.20).

Something much bigger than Judas’ betrayal was happening. Jesus would send the disciples into the world with this good news: God the Father had sent His Son Jesus to bring salvation to anyone who would accept Him. God can turn even a betrayal to our benefit.

No matter how things look, God’s great plan will continue.

WHEN WE WANT TO JUDGE THINGS BY HOW THEY LOOK; LET’S REMEMBER THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE REALLY IN CONTROL.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries