“I am giving you a new commandment:
‘ Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.’
Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other.”
~ Jesus John 13:34-35
Jesus had just watched Judas leave the table, and leave the room. He knew exactly
what Judas was about to do, and the wheels of betrayal would begin to carry Him to the
horrific abandonment, physical torture, betrayal, and death on a cross. The brutal
punishment for what? Love. Perfect, sinless love.
With Eternity in His Eyes, Love stayed His Hand. He had Called Judas to follow Him.
Jesus had brought him into His closest circle of friends, knowing what Judas would do
with the trust Jesus had given him. He had not treated Judas differently than the other
11 of His chosen friends. Jesus had given him every chance to make a spiritual impact
on the world.
But there was something of higher value in Judas’ heart. It was himself. To lay down
his life to pursue following Jesus was not what he chose. That would cost him too
much. Money and all that it offered in life meant more to him.
Jesus knew the highest priority in Judas’ life. But He Called him to be His follower
anyway. He treated him no differently than the rest of His “inner circle.” For three
years, Judas had given his life to follow Jesus and had come to know Him personally.
He had been included, despite what was true of his own heart. And in the end, Judas
chose himself above the One Who had chosen him.
Following Jesus is not an easy Path. It’s messy. It’s difficult. It’s inconvenient. It
requires pushing our Will, comfort, plans and desires out of the list of priorities.
Surrendering ourselves to Jesus makes no sense in our world. It’s not normal. It can
require more of us than we could have imagined, or ever wanted to give. But as we
walk the Path upon which we follow Him, His Presence never leaves us abandoned or
alone.
And in those Moments when He catches our eyes or wraps His Arm across our
shoulder, or unexpectedly comes so very near, we are reminded of the greatest
privilege we have been given to follow Him and know His Presence, wherever He may
lead.
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