Reading for March 12th

 Read John 13.21-38. In 13.21-38. 21-30: Betrayal foretold. Jesus is troubled a second time (compare 12.27). This is the first appearance of the disciple whom Jesus loved (see 19.26-27; 10.1-10; 21.7, 20-24). Peter needs his help. Next to him, literally "in his bosom" as Jesus was in the bosom of the Father (compare 1.18). It was night: Judas went out into the darkness (see 3.2; 9.4; 11.10; in the light of 1.4-5; 3.19-21; 12.35-36) and his fate was sealed. In 31-38: The meaning of Jesus' death and departure. In verses 31-32: See 12.23, 28; 17.1, 4-5; 1.14-18. In verse 33: A little while, see 7.33. As I said to the Jews, see 7.34-35; 8.21. He does not tell the disciples, "you will die in your sins" but you will follow afterwards. In verses 34-35: The new commandment (13.1; 15.12-13): They are to love one another (not, here, neighbors or enemies). In verses 36-37: Jesus gives his life for them, not the reverse as Peter affirms (see 13.6-10; compare 10.11, 15, 17-18; 15.13-14). In verse 38: The boast of 13.37 meets Jesus' prediction of the threefold denial (see 18.15-18, 25-27), which elicits the threefold word of restoration in the epilogue (21.15-19). Comments or Questions..