Heralds Digest

  ” Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13 : 31 - 32 , 34 - 35 KJV By “ Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him ”, Christ Jesus’ response to His betrayal by Judas Iscariot teaches a new dimension of God’s glory through the show of love in our betrayal and brutally. Judas’ condemnation and destruction after the deed could have been avoided, even after the deed of betrayal and brutality, if he actually repented and returned back to where he left off God’s glory in fellowship with the fellow disciples (he wasn’t replaced until much more after the gathering at the upper room for the baptism ...

  “ So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13 : 31 - 32 , 34 NKJV Reciprocating any gesture of love with love is common; the only challenge arises with the call to love our enemies in truth. “ So, when Judas Iscariot had gone out to mobilize for the arrest of Jesus Christ ”, Jesus preached the demonstration of the glory of God on the basis of love for one another, including our enemies. But everyone knows that the reflection of God’s glory in our lives embraces the accommodation of pain, persecution, betrayal, like it happened with Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. And having conquered the pain and agony at Gethsemane, Jesus was able to love Judas unconditionally. Unfortunately, we are often interested in pre...

  “ So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. ” John 13:31-32 NKJV There is always a good feeling and accomplishment when a god-given assignment is completed in a god-honoured approach. Jesus started His earthly ministry by prayer and fellowship with God; and by the acknowledgment “ Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him “, He had no doubt God has been glorified by His obedience and attention to details. Unlike Jesus, Saul started well; but ended foolishly: “ And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever ”. 1 Samuel 13:­13)” Unfortunately, in pursuit of God’s vision and assignment in life and ministry, we are all easily tempted to struggle with the shar...

  “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ” ‭‭John‬ ‭13:34‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The simple difference between the recommended love in the new commandment by Jesus Christ is the love…’ as I (Jesus) have loved you ’. Compared to the familiar love as we loved ourselves, this is love with a life tag. But when Peter responded to the challenge by saying “ I will lay down my life for your sake ”, Jesus countered his sincere submission with an undesirable reality. Peter would have to later deny knowing the suffering Jesus, because his self-centred love at the moment only appealed to a Super Jesus. Even today, nobody can commit a life love to someone else without a real encounter with the Cross. In life love, love as we loved ourselves does not exist because self, its passion, and pride are crucified on the Cross. It is love with a sacrifice of life on the altar of service to God and the pursuits of His Will, as we relate with p...