John - Week 41

Do As I Have Done 

READ  

John 13:15-17 

15 “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” 

Some people debate whether foot washing is to be a church ordinance or just an example of serving others. Whether taken as a church ordinance or not, the importance is to follow through on what Jesus called an “example.” He further explains what the example meant: the Master had just served the lesser ones, one of which He knew would eventually betray Him. So the disciples should be willing to serve others, even if those others sought to harm the disciples. Then Jesus added a sharp reminder of their responsibility: “Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” If they didn’t do what they knew they should do, God would not bless. 

REFLECT 

What have you done this past week to show you are willing to be a servant to someone even if that person does not have your best interests at heart? 

RESPOND 

When a religious expert tried to trap Jesus by asking what the greatest commandment is, His answer is recorded in Matthew 22:37-39. This sums up the entire law the Pharisees were so concerned about. Read these verses and ask yourself if you are keeping both of the commandments Jesus mentioned.  

The Ones I Have Chosen 

READ  

John 13:18-20 

18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ 19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah. 20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.” 

Although Jesus was speaking to all His disciples in the Upper Room, He made clear His comments did not apply to all of them. Someone eating this Last Supper was planning to betray Him and Jesus knew who it was. Strangely, none of the other disciples even suspected Judas because they asked each other who could do such a thing (Luke 22:23). Also each disciple asked if he was the one (Mark 14:19). Even Judas asked if he was the one (Matthew 26:25).  

REFLECT  

Imagine that the disciples had no suspicion of Judas as the betrayer. This must have meant he was doing all that they were, even praying. He gave the appearance of being a believer in the Messiah, but he was a Christ-rejecter.  

RESPOND 

Does this help you to be more careful about assuming everyone—even in a Bible study—is a believer? Surely Judas fit the category of those to whom the Lord will someday say what He said in Matthew 7:21-23. Read this passage and pray for those around you.  

Who Will Betray 

READ  

John 13:21-22 

21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” 22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 

Here Jesus is seen in His humanity for He “was deeply troubled.” He was fully human as well as fully divine. Judas had been with the other disciples from the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist yet they had no idea he was an unbeliever. Refresh your mind on what the other Gospels reported by rereading Matthew 26:25; Mark 14:19 and Luke 22:23. The disciples were like a convicted person listening to a gospel message and even questioned themselves. 

REFLECT 

When you are listening to a convicting message, does it make you question your salvation? The question is not whether you have a sin that needs to be confessed, but whether you have trusted in Christ for you salvation. 

RESPOND 

To assure yourself about your salvation, read John 14:6; Acts 4:12 and Romans 5:12. Do you believe these verses? Now read John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10 and Ephesians 2:8-9. Have you put your trust in only Jesus for your salvation? If so you are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. 

Judas Iscariot 

READ  

John 13:26-27 

26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 

It is important to know where Judas was reclining at the table in order for Jesus to give him the bread dipped in the bowl. Judas was in the place of honor as a friend close to Him so Jesus could easily pass the bread. In spite of the plan Judas had to betray Him, Jesus was still acknowledging him as a friend. Judas rejected His friendship and Satan entered Judas when he ate the bread. Perhaps Judas was thinking of betraying Him at a later time, but Jesus told him to “hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 

REFLECTION 

Think of what it was like for Jesus to treat Judas as a guest of honor while knowing Judas would betray Him.  

RESPOND 

Read Matthew 5:43-45 and see what it says about love. The word “love” in the original language of the New Testament meant to seek another’s highest good. It involved an act of the will not just of the emotions. Think of examples you can use to illustrate loving in such a way and be sure to refer to the way Jesus treated Judas.  

Out Into the Night 

READ  

John 13:28-30 

28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night. 

This passage gives more evidence that none of the disciples had any idea that Judas was an unbeliever. They assumed that his quick departure was to obey something Jesus had said and not that he would quickly proceed in betraying the One who loved him so much He would later give His life on the cross to redeem such people. Take special note that all of this was going on while it was night. That will help in understanding some key matters later. 

REFLECT 

Consider how easy it is to be deceived by someone who is acting like a believer but is not really one. Keep this in mind as you minister to others. 

RESPOND 

Even though you may be deceived by others, God will never be deceived. This a message you can give to all to whom you minister. Are you passing on to others what you are learning?