Tuesday 11 April

John 13:31-38

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  36Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now; but you will follow afterward.” 37Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.

        How wonderful is this new commandment? Simply, Love one another, and yet we can make it seem so difficult! We are not the only ones who fail in our efforts to serve God; Peter, upon whom Christ would build His church, failed (sinned) three times in one night. Yet Jesus still loved Peter, and He still loves us, even in our failures.

       God, despite our failures, you love us still. Allow us to have a new mind, and a new heart for You and Your divine Grace.