Thoughts on the Gospel of John (128) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it. And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
John 13:23-26

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (128)
"One of you will betray Me", the Lord tells His disciples. They become insecure because, although the traitor knows exactly that he is the one, he does not let on.

The atmosphere in the upper room is tense. The disciples are eager to know who the Lord means. But why don't they ask Him? Obviously, no one has the courage to, not even Peter - who is usually their spokesman.

This is not the first time that the disciples do not dare to ask the Lord a direct question. Do they lack trust in Him? (cf. Mark 9:32)

John, the writer, who never calls himself by his name in his Gospel, is the disciple who is especially aware of the Lord's love (cf. ch. 19:26; 21:7, 20-24). To him Peter now defers. John must be the one to ask the Lord who would betray Him.

Don't we sometimes feel the same way today? As disciples of Jesus, the Lord has called us all equally to follow Him, and yet there are differences in our lives of faith. We sometimes clearly feel that other believers are inwardly closer to the Lord than we are. We should recognise this without envy and take advantage of it, just as Peter does here.

Jesus exposes Judas as the traitor by handing him a dipped piece of bread - a gesture used to distinguish an honoured guest in those days.

Today's reading: Numbers 33:38-56, Matthew 17:14-21