Daily Scripture Reading John 13:18 - 14:4
Most Christians know that loving one another is very important. However, modern society has corrupted our concept of love. Most people instinctually think love is a romantic feeling. That is not the Biblical definition of love. Today, we will see in John 13 that Jesus demonstrated what He means by love.
Jesus and His disciples gathered together to eat the Passover meal. During the meal, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He told them they should do to each other as He did to them.
John 13:18 I do not speak about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’
Notice Jesus used the word fulfilled. Many people think the word “fulfilled” means an Old Testament prediction came true. Sometimes that is what it means. However, often the word “fulfilled” means something happened in the Old Testament and then something similar happened to Jesus in the 1st century AD. That is the usage in this instance.
Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9. Psalm 41 was written by David. David wrote about his enemies who were arrayed against him. David said even his friend took action against him. The pronoun “HE” and “ME” refers to David. Just as a friend of David lifted his heel against David around 1000BC, so too Judas betrayed Jesus in the 1st century AD.
John 13:19 From now on I am telling you before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.
This is a clear statement on the purpose of predicting the future. The last phrase tells us Jesus predicted the future so that the disciples would believe that Jesus is God.
John 13:20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives anyone I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
John 13:21 ¶ When Jesus had said these things, He became troubled in spirit, and bore witness and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”
John 13:22 The disciples began looking at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
Note the word “perplexed”. The reason they were perplexed was they didn't know who was going to betray Jesus. The disciples had spent at least three years with each other, and yet they apparently did not suspect that Judas was not fully committed to Jesus.
In recent decades, Evangelicalism has put a lot of emphasis on small groups. One of the stated purposes of small groups is to keep each other accountable. Supposedly, when people are in a small group, they cannot hide their sin.
The story of Judas indicates they can. The disciples were a small group. John 12:6 tells us Judas was a thief. However, when Jesus said one of them would betray Him, the rest of the disciples did not know Judas well enough to suspect him.
There is nothing wrong with small groups. However, we should not assume small groups are a magic solution to sin within the church. There are people today who can hide their true character just as Judas did.
John 13:23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
The 21st chapter of John indicates the writer of the Gospel of John is the one whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24 So Simon Peter gestured to him to inquire, “Who is the one of whom He is speaking?”
John 13:25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
It is tempting to picture John asking the question loudly so that all the disciples heard the question. I do not think that is what happened. I believe John asked the question quietly and no one except Jesus heard the question.
John 13:26 Jesus answered, “He is the one for whom I shall dip the piece of bread and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the piece of bread, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
I also believe John was the only one who heard Jesus explain the meaning of giving the piece of bread. Therefore, John was the only one at this point who knew Judas was the betrayer.
John 13:27 And after the piece of bread, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
John 13:28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him.
If the dialogue between Jesus and John had been loud enough for all the disciples to hear, then they would have understood why Jesus said this to Judas. The fact that they did not understand indicates they did not hear the dialogue.
John 13:29 For some were thinking, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor.
John 13:30 So after receiving the piece of bread, he went out immediately. And it was night.
John 13:31 ¶ Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him;
John 13:32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately.
John 13:33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Notice the command to love one another. Note also that the love Jesus had for the disciples was the example to follow in loving one another.
This is a very important concept in Christianity. It is also well-known. Most Christians know we are to love one another.
However, modern society has corrupted our concept of love. Most people instinctually think love is a romantic feeling.
That is not the Biblical definition of love. Jesus said the disciples were to love one another as He loved them. John 15:13 tells us the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friend. Jesus laid down His life for all of us. Sacrificing your life is not a feeling.
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Loving one another is the way to differentiate ourselves from the world.
John 13:36 ¶ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”
John 13:37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.”
John 13:38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.
Modern society is obsessed with self-esteem. Thus, much effort has been made to make sure kids never fail. The mindset is that kids should only be praised and complimented. They should never be criticized.
However, Jesus did not live by that philosophy. He knew Peter would deny Him, so when Peter said He would die for Him, Jesus told Peter the truth. Jesus was not afraid of crushing Peter’s self-esteem.
John 14:1 ¶ “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
These two verses are an important component of our belief system because they give us hope. Life on earth is difficult and painful. However, we are able to persevere through the obstacles because we have a future in heaven.
John 14:4 And you know the way where I am going.”
Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as He loved them.
How does modern society define love?
How does our culture indoctrinate us with its definition of love?
What things did Jesus do for His disciples that was a demonstration of true love?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”