Thursday, April 2, 2026

Love Conquers All

N.T.#767 "Love Conquers All"

April 2, 2026 

John 13-Part 9 

By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. (verse 35)

LET IT GLOW 


What sets us believers in Jesus apart from unbelievers? How does the world see Christ in His followers? 

When we love one another, other believers, as Jesus loves us:

  • then our preeminent mark is that we are disciples of Jesus. 
  • Love is how the world notices we are different. 
  • It is not an option. 
  • It is revolutionary when we love others as much as Christ loved others.
  • Such love brings unbelievers to Jesus Christ.
  • It keeps believers strong and united in a hostile world.
  • Jesus was a living example of love. He loved those rejected by the world. So ought we love others.
  • It is a sacrificial love. 

Folks, love is what makes us different. We read about it in 1 Corinthians 13. Are we loving others as Christ loves us? I know, some people need an extra dose of love from us. 

LET IT GROW 

Love is an attitude that reveals itself in action. How can we love others as Jesus loves us?

  • Helping when it's not convenient.
  • Giving when it hurts.
  • Devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own.
  • Absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.
This kind of love is hard to do. That is why people notice when we do it. They see we are empowered by a supernatural source-God.

LET IT GO 

Help me love those who have hurt me and those who don't deserve my love.

Help me forgive them.

Change my heart so You can love them through me.

Don't give up on those you love, dear one. God can change hearts.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Love

N.T.#766 "Love"

April 1, 2026 

John 13-Part 8 

LET IT GLOW 

Here in the last 5 chapters, we see Jesus giving His farewell discourse. Now we are entering Jesus' final teachings to His disciples. Now with the betrayal set in motion, the events leading up to the crucifixion had begun. 

What was Jesus telling His following group about His future?

  • The Son of Man is glorified. (verse 31) 
  • God is glorified in Him. 
  • Jesus would soon be gone and ascend to God the Father. (verse 33)

Jesus came into the world to offer Himself as a substitutionary atonement and then be raised from the dead. As Jesus glorified God, so we Christians called to do the same. Everything we do-in thought, word, and deed-is to be done for the glory of God. (1 Cor. 10:31)

[Resource: The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW 

What was the new commandment which Jesus gave His men and us?

I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

Guys, love each other because the Jews were about to kill your leader., Me.  Love one another because I will be gone and you will need each other. Support and encourage each other, boys. 

Biblical love is the decision to compassionately, responsibly, and righteously pursue the well-being of another person. Loving someone may or may not have feelings connected to it. Love is a decision to seek another's best, regardless of your feelings.

LET IT GO

Help us love others as You love us, Jesus.

Remind us throughout today.

Betrayal

 N.T.#765 "Betrayal"

 April 1, 2026 

John 13-Part 7 

LET IT GLOW 

Friend, have you been betrayed by a loved one or friend? It hurts like your heart has been cut out and sliced into pieces. Jesus experienced betrayal. Read on.

 Who is it? One in the group who would eat with Christ would betray Him.-Judas. All along Jesus knew who His betrayer was, but the disciples did not.

He quotes Psalm 41:9:

Even my close friend, in whom I trusted,

Who ate my bread,

Has lifted up his heel against Me. 

In the ancient world, to dine with someone was an intimate activity that affirmed mutual trust. It would have been inconceivable to eat with one's enemy. This is what made Judas' actions all more reprehensive. (David Jeremiah)

Which guy in the group was a betrayer? Peter wanted to know if it was him. Not this time, Peter.

It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it. (verse 26)

Then Jesus dipped the bread (probably in oil) and gave it to Judas Iscariot. Satan entered Judas. Jesus told Judas what he was to do, do it quickly. Judas left, went to the religious leaders, bargained the location of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. 

Judas had been in charge of the money bag for the disciples. They used the money to give funds to the needy and to buy food for the group. 

Whatever Judas was thinking, Satan assumed that Jesus' death would end His mission and thwart God's plan. Jesus' death was the most important part of God's plan all along. 

Will we remain faithful to Jesus forever? Or only when it is convenient to be a follower of Jesus?


LET IT GROW 

Keep in mind that Jesus hand-picked His disciples. 

Although Judas would be turning Jesus over to the authorities, the Son of Man would be glorified because everything remained under the foreknowledge, control, and redemption of a sovereign God. Even the greatest of injustices against God's own cannot prevent His goodness from prevailing. (Romans 8:28)

Jesus found it in His heart to forgive His accusers, those who beat Him, those who drove the nails in His hands and feet. Our sins put Jesus on the cross. Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior? His loving, nail-scarred hand is stretched out to you today.


LET IT GO

Forgive our betrayal, Jesus,.

Help us forgive those who betray us.

Heal our hurting hearts and fill us with Your love.

Glory and praise to Jesus. You are our hope, joy, peace, love.