Today’s scripture: John 13:18-30 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
Did Jesus comprehend and fully understand ahead of time the full extent of agony that he would endure after Judas Iscariot betrayed him? That’s a question I plan to ask him someday. The fact that he was both God and human does present a major difficulty in my ability to get to an answer. I mean, did the divine portion of himself choose to look into the future, or did his human portion do nothing more beforehand than read prophecies about himself while holding painless scriptural parchment?
The closest way I can arrive at an exclusively human understanding of this curiosity (since I’m human only) is to think of a situation that helps me to ponder it in analogous terms.
Human Side (without forehand knowledge) thoughts: Before my first spinal fusion surgery, it was necessary that I undergo a diagnostic test whose goals include replicating a certain type of pain in order to locate faulty disc(s). I had no idea what was in store, but — sure enough — it was painful. I had a double fusion and was very happy with the results.
Divine Side (with forehand knowledge) thoughts: Two years later, it was apparent that I needed a third spinal fusion. I already had full knowledge of my future, at least in terms of what the go-around would be like with this diagnostic procedure. It, too, was equally painful. My knowledge of exactly what was lying in store could not do anything to lessen its painful effect. I had surgery again and was equally happy with the results.
So now, I’m tempted to think that it doesn’t matter whether or not Jesus knew in advance what the level of suffering would be like. Either way, the experience for him was the same.
What baffles me is this: Why’d he let Judas Iscariot go out into the night to set-off this series of events, and even told him to do it “quickly” (v 27)? Jesus seems to have answered it ahead of time in verse 19: “I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.”
Thought for the day: God, sometimes we get too wrapped up in a “how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” mindset and waste that amount of time not doing what you’d have us to do: accomplishing your work, and giving you glory. Forgive us for such moments.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.