Topic:Divine Sovereignty
Text: John 13:13-15

God has favourites. This may sound antithetical. Those who bear resemblance to the nature and character of God are close to His heart. Our text reveals the fact that God knows the true disposition of all who claim to follow the Master. The disciples wanted to know the identity of the man who was going to betray their master. They asked John to ask the Lord who the man was. Because John was the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” Jesus spoke to him directly and told him that the guilty man would be the one to whom he handed the sop: Jesus took a piece of bread, dipped it into the dish and handed it to Judas Iscariot. Immediately, John knew who the potential betrayer was, though none of the others knew. John was aware because he was the Lord’s favourite. You have to be holy to be a favourity of the Lord. Some say that the Lord does not have favourites because the Bible says He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).

While it is true that God is no respecter of anyone, He does make a distinction between persons. He tells us that He knows His sheep and they in turn know Him (JOHN 10:14). He knew which one of the disciple would betray Him, which one would deny Him three times, and which ones would desert Him in His greatest hour of need. He also knew which disciple would follow Him all the way to the cross. It was to that disciple alone that He revealed the identity of His potential betrayer. That one disciple whom Jesus favoured (through His sovereign knowledge) was John the beloved. Moreover, one thing is true: God is Sovereign. He is the Almighty, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He does whatever pleases Him.

In Romans 9:15 He says: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” If God decides to make a person His favourite nobody can challenge Him or accuse Him of unfairness. I am happy to tell you that the Lord God Almighty is willing to make you His favourite provided you satisfy the conditions of receiving His favour: you must be as pure as light. Do you know that God is watching every step taken by you? He will make you His favourite if your conduct conforms to His word.

Memory Verse: Acts 10:34 - “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”