Friday 7th November
Read John 13:1-5
“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.” (NIVUK)
In case we missed it in the first verse, John reiterates that Jesus’ departure is on his own terms. Loving His disciples ‘to the end’ could be concluded with an act of power that puts the devil in his place. Jesus knew His origin and His final destination. How He concluded this earthly interlude was entirely up to Him. The power was His to do with as He willed.
“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.’” (John 10:17-18) (NIVUK)
The time has indeed come.
