1Now 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

Sometimes we find what we know or don’t know to be paralyzing when it comes to decision making. Jesus kept an enlarged view of life that included eternity. But it wasn’t just that he knew what was ahead (Judas’ betrayal, the cross, the disciples scattering), he knew WHO was ahead. He knew He was returning to the Father. And this knowledge fuelled His service and His love.

These verses introduce the Upper Room dinner and discourse Jesus had with the disciples before His crucifixion. What an extraordinary evening! In the next moment in John 13 we see Jesus taking the servant’s role and washing the disciples’ feet.

When you are under stress what knowledge dominates your life? 

The knowledge that you are out of time? That you are under appreciated? That you deserve better treatment? That you have an enemy? That there’s possible conflict behind “that door?”

Or

The knowledge of your relationship with Jesus? The knowledge of the Father’s love for you? The knowledge of the greater vision of where you and your coworkers, friends and family are headed?

Under great stress the first thing likely to go for us if we are not being trained by our troubles in faith is our awareness of the Father’s great love. Servanthood and love will go soon too.

So, where are you headed? Its not just a question of destination. Its a question of who. Jesus is our destination! Its His character through these life stresses that the Spirit desires to form in us.