Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
In John's Gospel, the heart of the story of the Last Supper is Jesus washing his disciples' feet. It demonstrates the relationship all believers are to have with one another, and particularly the relationship leaders are to have with their followers.
We don't know what led Judas to betray Jesus, but by this time he was too far gone. Having shared the last meal, he leaves to do his last devil's work.
One of John's themes is the contrast between light and darkness. In the previous chapter Jesus warns people to 'Continue on your way while you have the light, so that the darkness will not come upon you' (12.35). After Judas leaves the gathering, John writes bleakly, 'It was night': he has gone out into the darkness.
In the developed Western world, we don't really understand darkness. Most of us live in cities that are never really dark. If we live in the country and we're out in the fields we have powerful torches that shed light at the touch of a button. John's readers knew what a moonless night was really like: true darkness was bewildering and dangerous.
Judas's tragedy tells us that if we turn away from the light of Jesus, we become vulnerable to any kind of temptation. We should never think we aren't capable of betraying Christ; indeed, we do it far too often.
God, help me to walk in the light of Christ, and to be wise and strong enough to turn away from darkness. Forgive me for the times I have betrayed him, and have mercy on me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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