Daily Devotional For Friday, October 30, 2026
Good morning Southside! I am following the One Year Chronological Bible reading suggestion and any Bible verses you see highlighted in bold (ex. John 3:16), means it is a link to that verse. All you have to do is click on the reference and it will take you to the verse online. Our daily devotional for today comes from the words of Jesus found in John 13:31-38. Yesterday we read that Judas left to go meet with the religious leaders to learn how they could pay him to betray Jesus.
Today, we read how Jesus told Peter he would deny Him 3 times. Both men betrayed Jesus – one did it for money, but does that make it worse than the other? Once Judas left, Jesus made a comment about His crucifixion and Resurrection. Peter, always putting his foot in his mouth, does not get it. In verse 31, Jesus used the word “glory.” In our Western culture we often miss the implication of this word. It not only referred to the appearance of something but also to what it would accomplish.
To Jesus this meant that His death and Resurrection would bring to fruition God the Father’s plan of salvation and Jesus stated He planned to see this to its completion. That glorification for Christ would be His Resurrection and Ascension. God’s glory would be on display through His Son’s obedience. Jesus called His disciples “children,” a reference to tenderness and intimacy. After His Resurrection, 40 days later, Jesus would return to the Father and the disciples would no longer experience fellowship with Him in physical form.
Jesus is in the Upper Room with His disciples and Judas as left. This will be hours before Judas betrays Him, He is arrested, scourged, goes through 6 illegal trials, is crucified and dies. Jesus knows the clock it ticking and He shares with His disciples what is most urgent and important on His heart for them to do once these events start and He ascends back to heaven.
And in verse 34-35, Jesus told His disciples that He was giving them a new commandment – to love one another as He had loved them. The command to love one another was not a new one. It was all through the Mosaic Law (Ex. 20:12-17; Lev. 19:18; Deut. 5:16-21; & Deut. 22:1-4). Jesus had previously taught about this in Matt. 5:38-48; Matt. 7:12; Matt. 23:36-40; Luke 10:25-37). So what was new? They were to love one another in the exact same way Jesus had loved them. In other words, Peter was to love Thomas as if it was Jesus loving Thomas after Jesus was gone. Jesus has been a living example of God’s love and we are to be also.
Jesus would soon leave them and to love one another this way would not draw people to Christ, but it would keep them strong and united, especially in times of persecution. And such love of God empowered by the coming of the Holy Spirit’s power in them, would allow them to love all those whom Christ died and unite them with one another through thick and thin. I love what John Vianney says about love:
“Love for our neighbor consists of three things: to desire the greater good of everyone; to do what good we can when we can; to bear, excuse and hide other’s faults” (Source: Bruce B. Barton, The Life Application Bible Commentary “John,” p. 282).
I wonder what most of the world sees when it sees Christians together? Do they see people bickering, jealous, divisive or do they see people loving one another Jesus like Jesus loved His disciples with their faults and all? We can love one another by helping when it is not convenient. By giving when it hurts, by giving of our energies even when we are exhausted and by absorbing the hurts and complaints from others without retaliating. God’s Word has a beautiful description of this in 1 Corinthians 13.
Peter wondered where Jesus was going and Jesus told he could not go where He was going. Peter, wanting to prove his loyalty, swore he would die for Jesus. He would protect Jesus with his life. Peter would rather lay down his life for Jesus than to have Jesus lay down His life for him. In the Garden when the soldiers came, Peter did draw his sword. I give him credit for this but Jesus rebuked him and told him to put his sword away – “Those who live by the sword, die by the sword” (Matt. 26:52).
And then Jesus had to break the bad news to Peter that before the cock crowed, Peter would deny Him 3 times. Three of the Gospels record this (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; & Luke 22:54-62. It seems that maybe 3 of the Gospel writers wondered if Peter instead of Judas was the bigger betrayer. Jesus knew exactly what both Judas and Peter were going to do and He never stopped loving either one of them. Judas could not understand nor accept such unconditional love and committed suicide. Peter got it and went on in spite of his failures to help others experience the unconditional love of Christ.
Reflection Assignment: Two disciples: Judas & Peter responded differently to their betrayal of Jesus. Peter repented and Judas did not. Do you think that if Judas had repented Jesus would have forgiven him? Why or why not? Do you think that Peter was the bigger betrayer than Judas? Why or why not? In what ways do you betray the Lord today? If you knew you only a few hours to live, what would you say to the people you love the most?
Scripture To Meditate On: John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (35) Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (NLT).
Prayer To Prayer: “Dear Lord, I fear that at times I am like Peter and Judas. I am a betrayer against you. I really do not want to be but I know that at times I am. I thank You that You understand me and forgive me even though I do not deserve it. Thank You for your grace and mercy to me. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly