John 13:21-30
February 24, 2026
John 13:21-30
CONFESS
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who pardons all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask for your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart and we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justly, not loved mercy, and not walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy upon us according to your loving-kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out our iniquity. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Cast us not away from your sight and take not your Holy Spirit from us Restore unto us the joy of your salvation, and uphold us with your Spirit. Amen.
READ & REFLECT
John 13:21-30
21After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 24so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Jesus confirms with a heavy heart that one of his disciples will betray him. This, of course, sparks their curiosity as well as their fear. The disciple who was seated closest to Jesus, most likely the author of this gospel, asks the question that was on all of their minds: “Lord, who is it?” Jesus subsequently provides a sign, known only to John at the time, that Judas is the one who will hand Jesus over to those who seek his life.
But why would Jesus tell his disciples that one of them will betray him? What purpose does it serve? For starters, Jesus’ foreknowledge of what will happen provides yet another proof of his divinity. He is fully in control of the situation and knows precisely what is about to befall him. But even more importantly, Jesus seeks to encourage his disciples.
Consider the alternative. If the disciples did not receive any forewarning before Judas betrayed Jesus then they likely would have gone to pieces and perhaps never recovered from the shock of it. Jesus’ words, however, ensure that the disciples will not be overpowered by Judas’ ruin. They can rest secure in the fact that Jesus knows those who belong to him. Jesus has chosen them. Therefore they need not fear that they will fall away like Judas. Rather they are empowered to persevere in faith, by trusting the one in whom they have believed. Likewise, we can know with confidence that none of our present trials come as a surprise to Jesus. He knew this would happen even if we were unprepared for it. Therefore, now is the time for us to persevere, trusting not in ourselves, but in the one who has called us.
What comfort can you draw from Jesus’ foreknowledge of Judas’ betrayal?
PRAY
Weekly Collect
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations, and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.