Divine Patience at the Last Supper

The Gospel from today’s Mass (John 13:21-33; 36-39), Jesus demonstrates both His Omniscience and abounding patience.  An excerpt:

[37] Peter said to him, “Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” [38] Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.

Christ, in just a few short words, demonstrates why He is God and we are not.  Consider:

• Jesus has just correctly predicted that Judas will go to betray Him.
• Jesus knows that death is just around the corner, something that is causing Him great anguish; Gethsemane, where Jesus will literally sweat blood, is only a few hours away.
• Now Peter, makes a big promise that will, in the short term, be a big fail; “I will lay down my life for you.”  (While Peter fails in the short term by denying Jesus 3 times before the morn, he will go on to die for Jesus).
• Of course, Jesus knows that Peter will deny and eventually die for Him.  Imagine the sad irony in the words, “Will you lay down your life for Me?”

Jesus demonstrates His omniscience by predicting the precise details of Peter’s betrayal.  And Jesus, because He is Divine, can be Divinely patient with the well-intentioned, but weak Peter.

Praise Jesus Christ that He is patient.  We all need Christ’s patience with our own promises and failures.

Confess your sins, praying for forgiveness during this Holy Week.