THE UPPER ROOM PT 2: BETWEEN BETRAYAL AND DENIAL
John 13:18-21
“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.”
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:36-38
“Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.’ Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’”
THE
Betrayal is devastating because it comes from those we trust and not from strangers.
Judas left the presence of Jesus and stepped into the darkness. This statement is both literal and spiritual. It was literally and spiritually night because Judas had fully given himself over to Satan.
THE
Peter believes his devotion will sustain him—that he is strong enough. He believes that if the time comes, he will die for Jesus. But Jesus knows better. Jesus knows that in just a few hours, Peter—this bold, outspoken leader—will crumble under pressure.
Peter sincerely believes he will never fail. The problem is his confidence is in himself, not in Christ.
Distance often leads to denial.
When we allow fear to create space between us and Christ we become vulnerable to falling away.
The man who denied Jesus in fear became the man who declared Him in boldness at Pentecost and would later be crucified himself for preaching Christ.
Between the betrayer and the denier, we witness a remarkable moment—when Jesus, despite having every reason to focus on His own pain, suffering, and the deep wounds of rejection, instead chooses to speak about love.
Jesus isn’t just commanding love-He is defining it by his own example.
Jesus doesn’t say,
“They will know you by your doctrine.”
Jesus doesn’t say,
“They will know you by your miracles.”
He doesn’t say,
“They will know you by your theology or knowledge.”
He says they will know you by your love.
His love is our identity.
His love is our testimony.
His love is our calling card to the world.
Between betrayal and denial, failure and redemption, Christ’s love remains.
TABLE TIME:
As we engage in conversation, let Paul’s words to the Colossian church be our framework. Colossians 4:6,‘Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.’
Have you ever experienced betrayal or denial from someone you trusted?
How did it impact you?
How does Jesus’ response to Judas and Peter challenge our typical reactions to those who hurt or betray us?
How does the contrast between Judas and Peter’s responses to their failures inform our understanding of repentance and God’s grace?
Peter’s denial didn’t happen suddenly—it was a slow drift: First, he rejected Jesus’ warning (Matthew 26:35). Then, he relied on his own strength, drawing a sword (John 18:10-11). Finally, he followed Jesus “at a distance” (Luke 22:54).
How do you think Peter’s distance from Jesus made his denial more likely and what can we learn from Peter’s overconfidence and subsequent denial about the dangers of relying on our own strength rather than God’s?
In what ways might we be ‘following Jesus at a distance’ in our own lives, and what are the potential consequences of this?
Between Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them (John 13:34-35). Why is this significant in the context of this passage?
Jesus calls this “a new commandment.” How is this love different from ordinary human love? (Consider how Jesus loved despite betrayal, denial, and suffering.)
How can we cultivate a love that, like Jesus’, remains steadfast even in the face of betrayal, denial, or personal suffering?
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER:
5-Day Devotional: The Love That Stands in the Middle
Monday: Love That Forgives
📖 Reading: John 13:1-17, 31-35
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1, ESV)
Jesus, fully aware of His impending suffering and betrayal, chose to demonstrate radical love through humility. He washed the feet of His disciples, including Judas, the one who would betray Him. This was not just an act of service but a declaration of the kind of love He calls us to—a love that forgives, even when it costs us.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives a new commandment:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This love is not based on merit but on grace. Who is Jesus calling you to forgive? Is there a wound or betrayal you’ve struggled to release? Reflect on the depth of Christ’s love and ask Him to help you extend that same love to others.
🔹 Action Point: Identify one person you need to forgive. Pray for them today and ask God to help you take a step toward extending grace.
🙏 Prayer: Lord, Your love astounds me. Help me to grasp the depth of Your forgiveness and empower me to love others as You have loved me, even when it’s difficult. Amen.
Tuesday: The Danger of Self-Reliance
📖 Reading: Luke 22:31-34, 54-62
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32, ESV)
Peter was passionate and confident, boldly declaring that he would never fall away. But his reliance was in his own strength, not in Christ. When fear and pressure came, he denied Jesus three times.
“But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.” (Luke 22:60, ESV)
Jesus wasn’t surprised by Peter’s failure. Instead, He prayed for his faith to endure beyond the failure. God’s grace sees beyond our mistakes to the restoration that lies ahead.
Are there areas in your life where you are relying on yourself instead of Christ? How can you lean more into His strength rather than your own willpower?
🔹 Action Point: Ask God to show you an area where you have been relying on your own strength. Surrender it to Him today and invite His power into that situation.
🙏 Prayer: Father, forgive my pride and self-reliance. Teach me to depend fully on Your strength. When I fall, remind me that Your grace is sufficient. Amen.
Wednesday: The Power of Restoration
📖 Reading: John 21:15-19
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’” (John 21:15, ESV)
After His resurrection, Jesus doesn’t condemn Peter for his denial—He restores him. Three times Peter had denied Jesus, and now three times Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” With each response, Jesus reaffirms Peter’s calling.
This moment shows that our failures don’t define us—Christ’s love does. He doesn’t just forgive; He restores and repurposes us.
Think of a time when you’ve failed or fallen short. How has Jesus restored you? If you’re struggling with guilt, remember—Jesus is calling you back, not pushing you away.
🔹 Action Point: Write down an area where you’ve struggled with guilt or failure. Ask God to restore you and commit to moving forward in His grace.
🙏 Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your relentless love that seeks me out even after I’ve failed. Help me to receive Your forgiveness fully and to step into the calling You have for me. Amen.
Thursday: Love as Our Identity
📖 Reading: 1 John 4:7-21
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8, ESV)
Jesus said the world would recognize His disciples by their love (John 13:35). This love isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. John reminds us that love originates in God and that we are to reflect that love to others.
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, ESV)
This kind of love is more than emotion; it is sacrificial, selfless, and forgiving. It reaches beyond what is comfortable and extends even to those who are difficult to love.
How evident is Christ’s love in your life? Are there areas where you struggle to love as He does? Ask God to help you grow in this defining mark of discipleship.
🔹 Action Point: Look for an opportunity today to demonstrate Christ’s love in a practical way—through kindness, encouragement, or an act of service.
🙏 Prayer: Heavenly Father, let Your love flow through me. Transform my heart so that love becomes my instinctive response. May others see Christ in me through the way I love. Amen.
Friday: Standing Firm in God’s Love
📖 Reading: Romans 8:31-39
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)
Paul’s words remind us that God’s love is unshakable. Just as Jesus’ love remained firm between betrayal and denial, Paul assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
This love is not conditional or fragile—it is a love that pursued us while we were still sinners, that restores us when we fail, and that will hold us through every trial.
As you face life’s challenges, where do you anchor your confidence? How does the security of God’s love empower you to love others with boldness and grace?
🔹 Action Point: Memorize Romans 8:38-39 as a reminder that nothing can separate you from God’s love. Whenever you feel distant from Him, declare this truth.
🙏 Prayer: Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your relentless love. Help me to live in the security of Your grace, knowing that nothing can separate me from You. May this assurance free me to love others courageously. Amen.
Final Encouragement
This week, we have seen the depth of Christ’s love—a love that forgives, restores, and remains unshaken.
- Monday: Love forgives, even in the face of betrayal.
- Tuesday: Our strength will fail, but Christ’s grace sustains us.
- Wednesday: Our failures don’t disqualify us—Jesus restores and repurposes.
- Thursday: Love is our identity, the mark of true discipleship.
- Friday: God’s love is unshakable, securing us through every trial.
Let’s not just reflect on this love—let’s live it out. May you walk in the assurance that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.