Love Redefined: Glory in the Shadow of Betrayal

In the shadow of betrayal, we discover the most profound display of love the world has ever known. This exploration of John 13:31-35 takes us into the upper room where Jesus, fully aware that Judas has just left to betray him and that Peter will soon deny him, speaks not of bitterness or self-protection, but of glory and love. What makes this moment so extraordinary is the timing—Jesus declares his glorification not after the resurrection, but in the very moment betrayal is set in motion. This challenges everything we think we know about glory, revealing that in God's kingdom, glory doesn't come after pain is avoided, but when pain is embraced through obedience. The message confronts us with a penetrating question: where have our loves become misaligned? Every betrayal, whether we've experienced it or committed it, flows from loving something or someone more than Christ. Yet here's the beauty—Jesus was betrayed for betrayers like us. His love absorbs our failures, the cross cancels our debt, and his blood makes room at the table for those who walked away. This isn't just ancient history; it's an invitation to examine our own hearts and to let the love we've received reshape how we love one another, making our communities a compelling witness to a watching world.