John 13
Jn. 1-11
Feet Washing
Jesus' actions:
oJesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands…"
Knowing that the Father has given him full and absolute
authority; or He has all power.
What does Jesus do with all the authority, all the power? He
acted like a slave- a servant.
oThe Contrast
Luke tells us what the disciples have been discussing. They
have been arguing about who's going to be the greatest in the
Kingdom.
The disciples are focused on who is the greatest that nobody
has taken up the menial but necessary task of washing feet.
But, Jesus does.
They are focused on celebrating. Christ is used on service. You
and I weren't saved to be celebrities. We were saved to be
servants. We are, as Isaiah put it "servants of the servant."
The Foot washing as a picture:
o"So he got up from supper…" -An act of the will. It's voluntary.
o"laid aside his outer clothing…"- He emptied himself. He laid aside his
garments of glory, his prerogatives of deity. He laid aside the heavenly
garments (Phil. 2)
o"took a towel, and tied it around himself…"- He took on garment of flesh.
He was clothed in skin.
o"he poured water into a basin…"- in a greater way, he will shortly pour
out his blood
The setting
oIt was just before the Passover feast. Jesus knows what is about to
happen. He feels deep love for his disciples. But he also knows there is
treachery in the midst.
The Preparation
oHe was taking on the servant role. This is explained against the
background of his eternal mission.
The Washing
oThe menial task of washing
Th objection
oPeter's reaction was understandable. It spoke of his high regard for Jesus.
It also reveals his imprudence in dictating to Him. Jesus
Jn. 13:12-20
A Symbolic Act Explained
The challenge to their understanding
oDo you understand what I was doing? Clearly Jesus is assuming they had
not grasped the meaning. Any action which causes us to think more
carefully about the teaching of Jesus is valuable.
The provision of a spiritual example
oJesus explanation goes from greater to lesser. If He had done this, the
disciples cannot do less. The principle of doing what Jesus did has proved
to be a valuable guide for Christian behavior.
The underlining of a spiritual principle
oIt is socially acceptable that the servant is not above the master. There is
real blessing in correctly understanding the kind of master we have. We
will never emulate Him until we see him as one who came among us to
serve.
The warning against the betrayal
oJesus was preparing the disciples for the shock of discovering Judas'
treachery.
Jn. 13:21-30
Coping with Treachery
An emotional Reaction:
oJohn notes Jesus was troubled in spirit. He was affected by those who
turned against him. This human reaction is comforting to those who pass
through a similar experience
A startling revelation:
oJohn has told us that the devil had put it into the heart of Judas to betray
Jesus. Now Jesus announced the betrayal.
An understandable Perplexity:
oPeter asks John to ask Jesus, "Who's he talking about?" Matthew and
Mark tell us that they were "Greatly distressed" and "each one asked in
turn, Am I the one, Lord?"
A Spiritual gif
oJudas was given the bread as an act of kindness. It may even be
interpreted as an act of honor. Jesus utters harsh words. John writing
years afer the event, gives us Judas' full name to avoid any possibility of
confusion.
A tragic Departure:
oFew words were spoken between Judas and Jesus. Jesus knew. Judas
knew. Yet, it was discreet enough that the rest did not know.
Jn. 13:31-38
The Time Has Come
The Time of Glorification:
oThis is a familiar there in John's Gospel. The passion which loomed near is
not to be regarded as tragedy but a triumph. Jesus' mind all along was on
the resurrection. God's intention was to glorify His Son, not desert Him.
The Time of Separation:
oJesus knows his earthly life is drawing to a close. He tenderly tries to drop
hints to his confused disciples.
The Time for Loving One Another:
oIn the dark hours ahead mutual loving support would be crucial. The
disciples of Jesus were to be known by their love. This new
commandment has never been outgrown.
The Time of Warning:
oPeter cannot cope with Jesus' mysteries. He heroically pledges his
support. Jesus identifies the hollowness of Peter's claim and says ,"Die for
me?
New Commandment
Jn. 13:34-35
oIts newness:
The Decalogue urged love for God. Jesus summed up the law
as love for God and for neighbor. Here He focuses on love
among believers.
oIts requirement:
Loving one another is stressed as a Christian duty-despite its
difficulty. Jesus places no qualifiers in this new
commandment.
oIts pattern:
The words "even as I have loved you" make the task more
difficult. This goes beyond the normal human regard for
others. There must be the same kind of commitment others
which Jesus himself showed.
oIts effect:
It is so uncommon that everyone will notice. They will enquire
for the source of such love.
John 14
Jn. 14:1-6
Comfort for Troubled Hearts
oAt a number of places (13:33, 36, 16:6) in this discourse Jesus seeks to
address the troubled hearts of his disciples. He is commanding them to
"be in control of themselves."
Commands for Troubled hearts
oJesus is calming their fears by commanding them to believe in God, the
one made known and accessible by Jesus Christ.
Comfort in a Future Hope
oHe gives them a promise. I'm going to leave but I'm going to come back
and I'm going to get you.
Rapture and The Jewish Wedding Background
When a young man in Judaism came of age to get married, he would go to the
bride's house and enter into a formal engagement, a betrothal. He may have had
that wedding arranged since he was a child, but about a year before the wedding
he's going to enter into an engagement, a betrothal.
Afer that, he goes back home to his father's house and begins to build a room onto
it, where he and his bride will live afer the wedding.
When the time for the marriage has come, he goes to his father, asks permission to
go get his bride. And then he goes form his father's house to the bride's house
unannounced. Makes no announcement. She has to be ready in advance. She has to
be ready at all times, along with the wedding party.
Why This is Not a Reference to the Second Coming
John 14:1-6 gives us a glimpse of Jesus view on the rapture. This is not the second
coming. At the second coming, Jesus comes from heaven all the way to earth. Jesus
wouldn't have said this (Jn. 14:1-6) then. He would have said, "At some point
What's the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming?
The rapture is when
John 14 and Heaven
Heaven is a real place
oWhenever Jesus spoke about heaven, he always spoke about heaven as
being a real place. He had been there. He was going back there. So he
spoke about heaven as a real place.
Haven is a rational place
oA place identified through a relationship filed with those you know
through relationship.
Heaven is an Abundant place
o"many rooms…" Just keep adding on; there's always room for more
(Jewish wedding)
Heaven is a Personalized Place
o"For you…" Jesus had when he was raised by Joseph in Nazareth? He was
a carpenter. Now he's a custom builder. Now he's making things custom
built for you.
Thomas' Question
It's because of Thomas' question that we get Jesus statement of being the way, the
truth, and the life
Philip's Question
A disappointed Jesus? Is there a tinge of disappointment here in Jesus' words. Jesus
wants to think of the time he has spent with them. Had he not seen the Father in
Him.
Jn. 14:12-17
Promises For The Believer
The Believer Will…
oDo Greater Works
The book of Acts illustrates this point. The miracle of
conversation over a wide area exceeded the limited sphere of
Jesus' own ministry
oPray Effective Prayers
The key here is in the words, "in my name." Any prayer in the
name and Spirit of Jesus would be answered. Jesus' promise
concerns the extension of his work. Note
More Assurances
oYou will see me
They may feel like orphans but He has not lef them.
oYou will know
Afer the resurrection what they are struggling to comprehend
will be more clear.
oYou will be loved by my Father
The Father's love, the Son's love, and the disciples love are all
in view of this conclusion.
oWhy us and not the world?
The dividing line is the loving of Jesus and the keeping of His
word. The world excludes itself on this test.
Jesus continue to reiterate concepts and ideas He has previously mentioned in order
to calm troubled hearts.
Jn. 14:25-31
Jesus Looks To The Future
The Spirit will aid their memory:
oThis was practical necessity. The saying of Jesus were precious, and their
memories would need jogging to recall them. This promise of Jesus gives
us confidence in the Gospel records.
Jesus will give them peace:
1. The peace given to the
They will be expected to rejoice:
oJesus suggests that his departure to the Father should be viewed
positively. The one reason Jesus gives for this statement "because the
Father is greater than I." This statement asks the disciples to trust in the
person and work of God.
The immediate experience of Jesus will not be a failure:
oSatan might seem to have the upper hand at the cross. But Jesus knows
that the ruler has no power over him. What he is doing is the Father's
will.
John 15
The True Vine: Jesus (as compared to Israel)
oIsaiah 5:1-7
oGod's people are defined not as people not planted in the vineyard of
Israel, but as people attached to Jesus.
Connection Points:
oNot ritualistic connections: Jews-circumcision, Sabbaths, Festivals
oMore than generic connections Jews: "we have Abraham as our father…"
oMore than a scholastic connection: "We are the disciples of Moses…"
oJesus: A connection with Jesus the yields fruit
The Gardener: God the Father
oThe two tasks of the gardener:
He removes: He cleans. He tends. He lifs up. He cuts away
dead wood.
He prunes: Pruning/Cutting away.
How does He prune?
Scripture: Comfort and confront
Suffering: Sanctified through suffering
Production Chart
oNo fruit
oFruit
oMore fruit
oMuch fruit
oWhat is the result of this production?
"My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit
and prove to be my disciples."
Our value comes in being connected to the Vine because the
life of Christ flows through us.
God is
Jn. 15:9-17
You Are My Friends
Christian friendship is based on love:
oThe command to love was given in John 13:34. It is repeated here. Loving
one another is difficult but essential to true Christian love
Christian friendship arises from friendship with Christ:
oWe are no longer servants but friends. As we learn to relate to Christ our
relationship with others will be impacted by this.
Friendship with Christ is not our choice but his:
oIn any friendship someone has to take the initiative. It must begin
somewhere. That initiative lies with Christ.
Friendship with Christ:
oIt is a matter of fruitfulness. If the fruit is the fruit of the Spirit, it means
the process of becoming more like Christ
Exposure to the World
oHated by the World
i. The world here is the human world apart form God. It is linked
with hate for the mission of Jesus and hate for his disciples.
Hate is more than apathy. Is a world of antagonism.
oChosen out of the world
i. Although still in the same environment, the disciples are
separate from it. Their new method of life and thought will
draw opposition of the world against them.
oPersecuted by the world
i. Intense dislike for the uncomfortable teachings and standards
of Jesus results in the persecution of those who are chosen
out of the world.
Without Excuse
oThe difference that the coming of Jesus made:
i. "If I had not come…" since the coming of Jesus they had no
excuse if they continue in sin. As a result of the coming of
Jesus, unbelief in Jesus is regards as a sin.
ii. "If I had not done the works…" To have seen the unique works
of Jesus puts the onus on the observer. He must form an
opinion. He is now answerable if he rejects the challenge.
oHis witness has resulted in Hate:
i. Those who reject Jesus are regarded as haters of him and of
the Father. Indifference to Jesus results in the rejection of
Jesus which can be interpreted as hate. There is no neutrality
when it comes to Jesus.
oHis witness is Reinforced:
i. By the witness of the Spirit:
Jesus reminds his disciples that the Spirit who
comes from the Father will also witness to himself.
We are still without excuse.
By the witness of the disciples: Jesus tell them they
are witnesses.
John 16:1-4
Predictions of Persecutions:
Warning against coming stumbling block
oJesus aim is to prepare his disciples for the upcoming events that will
shock them.
The nature of the coming persecution
oThe disciples will face excommunication. They will face intense religious
persecution for the sake of Christ.
The motive for the persecution
oThose who persecute the disciples will due so believing that they are
aiding the cause of God
The value of the warning
oJesus knows how valuable the memory of His warnings and promises
would be.
John 16:5-11
Advantages from Christs departure:
oHis departure was a traumatic event for them:
They wanted to continue as now. The thought of losing Jesus
was distressing. Yet, Jesus knew the sorrow in their hearts.
oHis departure would result in the gif of the Spirit:
The Counselor would come only subsequent to the death of
Christ. This points to Pentecost when their sorrow would be
turned to joy.
oThe Spirit would bring conviction to the world:
This promise was intended to encourage them. They would
not be able to convince people afer Jesus' departure, but the
Spirit would.
John 16:8-11
Conviction of Sin
oIt is the Spirit's work to convict and convince people that they are
sinners.
Conviction of Righteousness
oTo accept a total dependence on the righteousness of Christ requires the
Spirit's work.
Conviction of Judgement
oIn a world still dominated by the evil it needs the Spirit to convince us
that the forces of evil are already defeated.
The Spirit: Another Counselor (John 5-11)
Jesus could have used two words for another:
oHeteros= another of a different kind
oAllos= another of the same kind
He used allos, meaning He was going to send another helper just like the one He was
to them.
oThe Spirit provides the same kind of help Jesus did
oThe Spirit as a person
John 16:12-15
The Spirit as a Guide:
The need for the guide:
oJesus is concerned to steer his people into truth. He knew how easily
error creeps in, and warned against it. Unaided we cannot distinguish
spiritual truth from error.
The promise of the guide:
oThe Spirit of truth is well qualified to lead into truth. HE is the guide who
knows the way. There is no possibility for the Spirit from truth since it is
his nature
The authority of the guide:
oThe Spirit speaks with the authority of the Spirit
The objective of the guide:
oThe Spirit will glorify Jesus. His activities are devoted to this end.
Whatever passes for his work which does not glorify Jesus is not a true
work of the Spirit
John 16:16-24
Sorrow turned to Joy
The perplexity:
oThe disciples response to Jesus' teaching is "we don't know what He
means." Jesus knew they were perplexed and sought to help them
understand.
The sorrow:
oThe reaction to the death of Jesus Christ will be one of sorrow. The
disciples will weep at the unfolding events.
The joy:
oThe disciples will responds with joy to the resurrected Jesus. This joy can
increase through answered prayer in Jesus' name.
John 16:25-33
Plain Speaking
Plain teaching about the Father
oHe loves the disciples. The Father's willing response to the prayers of his
people. Note the reason for the Father's love- because their love for Jeus
He sent the Son into the world. "I cam from the Father" shows Jesus clear
consciousness of his origin. "I am going ot the Father"
Plain warning about the Future
oThe disciples affirm their belief that Jesus had come from God, but he
issues a solemn warning. He would be lef alone. His disciples would all
run away.
John 16:28
Summary of what Jesus has done and what He will do
"I came form the Father"
oIncarnation
"have come into the world"
oHumiliation
I am leaving the world
oResurrection/Ascension
And going to the Father."
oGlorification
