Satan Enters Judas

Lesson #216

We left off last time with the verse: “Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot” (John 13:26 ESV). You were left to imagine how Judas must have felt being singled out by Jesus as the betrayer, but it is going to get much worse because, “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”” (John 13:27 ESV). Back in verse 2, the devil put into the heart of Judas the aspiration to betray Jesus, but here when Judas takes the morsel, Satan entered into him. Judas has spent three years living with Jesus and was learning about the kingdom of the beloved Son. Judas could have chosen Jesus and entered that kingdom, but instead he remains in the kingdom of darkness and now as Satan enters Judas the deal to betray Jesus has been sealed. I can’t begin to put into words how Judas must now feel. Jesus makes the separation final when he says to Judas, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Up to this point there was still an opportunity for Judas to embrace Jesus, but now he had sinned against knowledge and love, and even Jesus gives him up. What it must be like when the powers of hell and darkness take possession of a person, strengthening that one to do evil.

“Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor” (John 13:28 – 29 ESV). As I think about this it appears that when John asked Jesus who the betrayer was, Jesus must have whispered his response allowing only John to understand what was happening. As a result, the rest were relying on their imagination to come up with an answer. To think that Judas was being sent to buy what was need for the feast gives proof that this meal was not the Passover meal.

“So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night” (John 13:30 ESV). In the context of what we are covering, it is very difficult where to fit in the Lords Supper. Commentators, like me, are unable to determine the timing of these things. The important thing is to learn from what John is writing; not try to figure how everything fits together. The important thing to know is that Jesus is troubled in his spirit because of the suffering that lies ahead. This is brought into sharp focus when Jesus gives the morsel to Judas and Jesus tells him to go do what he going to do, and do it quickly. I believe Jesus wants this period of intense suffering to be as short as possible.

Prayer

Father, physically Jesus and the disciples are together having a meal. Jesus announces there is a betrayer in their midst and then points out Judas, but in such a subtle way that the disciples didn’t make the connection over why Judas left. Father, underneath this activity there was spiritual warfare going on between Satan and the kingdom of darkness and Jesus and his kingdom of light. One can feel the tension mounting as these two, with their kingdoms, prepare to engage a terrific battle concerning our salvation. How thankful I am that Jesus was victorious and that I am part of his kingdom. 

Judas Singled Out

Lesson #215

With this lesson we begin the next section, defined by John 13:21 – 30, which is about the one who would betray Jesus. Jesus has alluded to the disciples that one of them is not clean. Jesus will now give us some details about this: “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”” (John 13:21 ESV). “After saying these things” refers back to the previous section and about what Jesus said about the one who was eating bread with them and has lifted up his heel against him by going to make a deal with the Pharisees to betray him. Thinking about his betrayer, Jesus once again “was troubled in his spirit.” We first encountered this troubled spirit in John 12:27 at the time of the death of Lazarus. The sorrow of Jesus was very deep now, so deep that it penetrated from body to soul, and then into the inmost spirit. The Lord was deeply distressed, not merely with the approaching agony aggravated by treachery and desertion, but by the rejection by Judas and his pending doom. To help the disciples come to grips with what was about to happen to him, he says to them with great seriousness, “One of you will betray me.” We will see later that there is more than one betrayer in the group. Consider the three denials of Peter at the trial.

“The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke” (John 12:22 ESV). As the disciples looked at one another, they were perplexed as to who it might be. Judas had done such a good job deceiving them about his feelings toward Jesus that they didn’t suspect him. With a heart rending inquiry, the disciples wanted to know who it was. “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”” (John 13:23 – 24 NIV). No words were spoken, just a gesture to have the disciple closest to Jesus ask him to find out who. “So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?”” (John 13:25 ESV). They still did not suspect Judas and thus they wondered if it might be one of them. There are some who think that Judas was on one side of Jesus and John on the other side. If the disciple was John, who Peter got the attention of, he leans back against Jesus and asks the question, “Lord who is it?”

“Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot” (John 13:26 ESV). Surely, everyone’s attention was waiting for the answer. Jesus takes a morsel of bread in his hand and dipped it and he tells them that the one he gives it to is the one. Imagine how Judas must feel having been singled out by Jesus. We will consider that in out next lesson. Even though Judas was singled out as the one, the disciples still did not understand the extent or the meaning of his betrayal.

Prayer

Father, Jesus knew all along what Judas was going to do and that he was an enemy among them. This shows me that our sin is not hidden from you and that you know from the beginning how we are going to live out our lives. We also have an example of how Jesus treated an enemy among them; with love and without partiality. My heart aches for Judas; he walked with the Son of God who could give him eternal life, but he turns away to soon receive his just punishment; the eternal wrath of God. Father, Judas sure had opportunity to learn and walk in the truth, but selfishness and pride takes its stand and he will continue his fall into the pit of hell. Father, how we need to humble ourselves before the Lord Jesus to prevent your hand coming down upon us. 

The Chosen Ones

Lesson #214

Jesus was using the foot washing as a means of separating the disciples into two groups; those who accept him as Master and Lord and the one who doesn’t, who is going to betray him. For those who believe, the spiritual implications will take on greater meaning as time and events advance. For Judas, the one who does not believe, it surely must drive him into a greater dislike for Jesus.

Jesus continues speaking: “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’” (John 13:18 ESV). In John 6:70, Jesus comments on the twelve he chose: “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil” (ESV). Here in John 13:18, Jesus makes it clear to the disciples that one of them who is eating with them has deceived them as being one of them, but isn’t. Jesus knew who he was choosing and I believe he intentionally chose Judas for the purpose of betraying him. I believe Judas was born with a specific assignment, which we see unfolding before us. Remember, as born again believers, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). I believe God will see to it that we will do the assigned work, but how well we do it is up to us and will determine our reward and blessing we will receive from him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NASB). I believe there will be many from the western church that will stand before this judgment seat in great shame because they lived for self and not for the Lord; they left little time to do the assigned work properly and with the right attitude.

Jesus continues by saying, “I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he” (John 12:19 ESV). Jesus had a knowledge of the heart and the power of foretelling future events, and must therefore be seen by his disciples as sent by God. Also his frequent predictions of his death, so circumstantial in themselves, continued to confirm to his disciples that not only was he the Messiah, but that he was also omniscient. If these things Jesus was telling his disciples came to pass, then they would have greater evidence and assurance of who he was.

John then concludes this section with Jesus saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (John 13:20 ESV). It is not real clear why Jesus included this statement here. In general, it means that anyone Jesus sends out as a witness for him, including us, will experience a few who will receive our message, but most will not. Those who do receive the message in essence, receive Jesus and if they do they would also receive the Father. In the context of this chapter, those who do not receive the message we have to deliver may turn against us in persecution. This is a growing reality today.

Prayer

Father, Judas was accepted by the other disciples as one of them. I don’t think they had any idea what he was going to do. Today in many persecuted churches there are those we would call a “Judas” who act like a true believer, but are there gathering information about true believers to be used by others in an attempt to destroy them. Father, how different life would be for us if we knew the enemy was infiltrating our circle of worshipers for the purpose of learning who the true believers were. This sure gives meaning to 1 Peter 5:8: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (ESV). Father, encourage us to learn about persecution and how to face it when it comes. 

How Large is Your Spiritual Gap?

Lesson #213

Intense suffering for Jesus is getting much closer and as a result one needs to think about how to interpret these verses in a context of suffering. In John 13:16, where the servant is not greater than his master and the messenger is not greater than the one who did the sending. Jesus is about to suffer for us, leaving us an example, so that we might follow in his steps. Remember, the Father sent Jesus with a message. In the setting of v16, Jesus is not greater that the Father who sent him with a message, which led to his death. Jesus as our Lord gave us the Gospel to share. We are not greater than the Lord and if we follow his example we may suffer and die also. This is happening with growing intensity in a growing number of countries. If we are not willing to share the gospel and face possible persecution with love and forgiveness, then we are taking the position of being greater than our Lord. That position of pride will result is shame when God brings us down to the humble state. I say all of this because I have a growing concern over the ignorance of the western church in regard to persecution, resulting in a lack of Biblical understanding of how to face persecution and why.

In view of what I just wrote, the next verse is quite appropriate: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17 ESV). I have often in the past referred to the space between what we know and what we actually live out as a “gap.” I know people in the east countries who live out what they hear as soon as they hear it. Here in the west we grow in knowledge, but live out only a small portion it. Our verse implies, the smaller the gap the greater the blessing. Consider the following verses. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21 ESV). It is possible to have knowledge and not apply it and end up in hell for an eternity of suffering. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46 ESV). That is a good question. How many things has the Lord told you to do, but yet you don’t do them? “And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating” (Luke 12:47 ESV). What do you suppose our punishment will be? How might we be suffering today because of disobedience? “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing (James 1:25 ESV). Blessed is the one who hears and out of love for his savior and following in his steps, in obedience goes out and does what he hears.

We are at a good break point and will try to cover verses 18 through 20 in the next lesson.

Prayer

Father, I pray for those who are reading these studies. I pray that the Spirit will give understanding and greatly bless those who apply what they are learning. I pray that together we will become more like our Lord and be willing to step outside our comfort zone and take some risks when obedience requires it. Father, thank you for the gift of salvation, but I am afraid we have forgotten the next verse: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). Father, you caused us to be born again for the purpose of working as your servants. Forgive us and have mercy on us for our disobedience; for our living for self and not for you. 

The Example to Follow

Lesson #212

We now get to the foot washing application. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:14 – 15 ESV). Jesus washed the disciple's feet as an illustration of humility and in that culture the willingness to do good to strangers and travelers. He was also setting up a teaching example for the disciples. It was not to establish a custom to be performed by Christians later. In rare circumstances it can, however, be effective today as in my experience in the underground school in China. I believed the Lord planned this to teach his disciples about humble love and the need of purity. We are to be willing to humble ourselves to perform all sorts of services when the opportunity exists or necessity calls.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16 ESV). Truly, truly, is a way of saying what follows is important and needs our attention. Two examples are given for our consideration. In our western culture we would understand that the one who serves is not greater than the one being served, but if you look to areas outside the western culture you might see a different application. We may see this as a difference in rank, but it may relate more to experience. Consider 1 Peter 2:20 – 21: “For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (ESV). Jesus never sinned, but yet he was willing to suffer and die on the cross for us, leaving us an example. As his servants we cannot be greater than he by not suffering. As his servants (as his sheep) we will follow him and if this means suffering and maybe dying, even if falsely accused, then that is the path we must travel. Our love for him requires our obedience to follow in his steps. This is so clearly seen in those who face persecution and can face their persecutors with love and forgiveness. This is the example Jesus left for us.

The second example is closely related and is about the one who is sent with a message. Again, I question whether we are talking about rank or about what we do? Jesus was sent by his Father with a message and a work to do to purchase our salvation. That message cost him his life. Jesus, as our example, gave us a message to deliver and those who faithfully do very often face persecution. Jesus continued to share the message from the Father until his life was taken and if we follow in his steps we must share the message until our physical life ends. To not be obedient conveys an attitude of pride, putting us above our sender and in a position to be put down in shame. I personally know Christians who have the message of the gospel and are compelled to share it even if it means their life. I know a young lady who was being tortured who continued to share God’s love and forgiveness until she was beaten unconscious. When she gained consciousness she found her persecutor on his knees before her asking Jesus into his life. Her obedience of love and faithfulness broke his heart, causing him to now be persecuted along with her.

Prayer

Father, how is it possible for one to love and forgive the one who is torturing you? It appears the key is found in 1 Peter 2:23: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (ESV). Father, testimonies I read reveal that when suffering occurs, if retribution is left in your hands those being persecuted are then set free to love and forgive their persecutors providing a most powerful witness that draws many to Jesus Christ in salvation. Father, we desperately need to understand this if we are to stand in the face of persecution when it comes and humbly submit as to washing their feet. 

Have You Taken a Bath?

Lesson #211

When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet, Peter refused, but after Jesus informed him that if he didn’t then he would have no share with him. Peter thought about that and went to the other extreme and insisted that Jesus should wash all of him. This is where we pick up the story for this lesson. “Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”” (John 13:10 ESV). This is another verse that commentators are divided on. They do not agree on the meaning of “bathed.” Does it refer to a physical bath or to spiritual cleansing? If bathed means a physical bath then walking from the bath to supper would require only the feet to be washed, but this idea fails when Jesus refers to Judas as not being clean. I don’t think it means he didn’t take a bath along with the other disciples, so I have to reject this. If I consider belief, then I can think about the disciples being washed from their sins and thus being clean. This would leave Judas in an unclean condition because of his rejection of Jesus. The foot washing could then illustrate our daily sins that we must be cleansed from. In the case of Judas, who had not come to Jesus in belief, foot washing was not enough. There are church goers today who confess their sins, but yet they are not clean because they have not been born again. “[Jesus] knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”” (John 13:11 ESV). There is no question that Jesus knew the true character of Judas and that he would betray him. Judas, in taking his stand against Jesus was still in a sinful, lost and unclean condition.

To finish out this lesson, we will start the next section, defined by John 13:12 – 20, which has its focus on the application of foot washing to our lives. “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?”” (John 13:12 ESV). The humble, foot washing ceremony was now over and putting on his outer garments, Jesus no longer filled the role of a slave, but the role of authority as their Teacher and Lord. Jesus returns to his place at the table and asked a simple question, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” They knew Jesus had washed their feet, but as yet, they didn’t know the spiritual implications of it. That is what he wants to help them understand.

Jesus continues by saying, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am” (John 13:13 ESV). Teacher and Lord were names of reverence which disciples of the Hebrew teachers were accustomed to offer their masters. Such an address was a way of showing respect. When I taught in China I was often referred to as teacher. Now in a position of authority, Jesus accepts those labels as an indication of his position by saying, “for so I am.” Jesus is these things, but he is more than that. He is Emmanuel, which translated means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23).

Prayer

Father, this act of foot washing and my experience with it in China, makes it clear the importance of humility in relationship with Jesus. Pride is about self and can’t tolerate competition with anyone else; humility sets self aside, making room for others. The connection between having bathed and thus being clean and the washing of regeneration I see as important and when made the foot washing illustrates our daily sin that we continually need cleansing for. Father, thank you that I was cleansed by the blood of Christ and provided with its provision of forgiveness. As I confess my sin, after being born again, you are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. 

The Importance of Humility

Lesson #210

Speaking from experience, I found it to be humbling to have someone wash my feet and I believe Peter felt the same way and offered some resistance. In my case, in that underground school, I knew that washing my feet was their way of humbling themselves before me and in so doing they were honoring me for my willingness to become like one of them and humbly teach them from the Word. While I was there a special bond formed between us and when I learned they were taken into custody and the school closed, my heart really ached for them.

When Peter resisted, “Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”” (John 13:7 ESV). Jesus knew Peter was terribly uncomfortable with this. He knew Peter was thinking, “How could one claims to be the Son of God, the coming Messiah, and possibly stoop to the level of a slave and wash my dirty feet?” Jesus perceiving this, confirmed that Peter did not understand this act of humility and assured him that at a future time he would. Jesus knew the disciples needed to learn the importance of humility and the best way to teach that was by example. We can teach someone how to live, but the best way is to back up that teaching by actually living it out as an example. That was the method Jesus often used.

But Peter was not yielding: “Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”” (John 13:8 ESV). In resisting Jesus, Peter was respecting his authority by showing his deepest reverence for him, but it was an improper response at this time. Like in other examples, Jesus often had a spiritual lesson to teach, which was the case here; something that related to the salvation of Peter. He needed to learn the importance of submitting to Jesus; the importance of humility because that was necessary when coming to Jesus for salvation. Jesus was using this act of foot washing to symbolize the washing away of our sins, which would be provided through his death on the cross. This washing away of our sin through his death was a necessary requirement for our forgiveness.

It appears that Peter understood the Lord’s meaning and saw that this was illustrative of a spiritual cleansing and desired to be completely washed: “Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”” (John 13:9 ESV). Peter began to realize that something important was taking place, but I think he is focused on the wrong thing. There are two things in view here: humility and washing. Peter had to first lay aside his pride to allow Jesus to wash his feet, but now Peter is focused on the washing as most important. His thinking is, if washing my feet connects me to Jesus then washing all of me might provide additional benefit. I am not sure Peter has made the connection between washing the feet and the need of the soul being washed from sin. Peter will one day realize that we come to Jesus in humility and then through his blood by his death on the cross, we are cleansed from our sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ESV). Now Jesus is washing the disciple’s feet, but later he will cleanse their souls from all unrighteousness. As before, Jesus uses a physical example to help understand a spiritual application.

Prayer

Father, my experience has proven to me the importance of keeping the soul cleansed from sin. I think of how often I wash my hands to enhance healthy living, so, likewise I need to confess often my sin to maintain healthy spiritual living. Father, I try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, to know when I have sinned so I can confess my sin and seek your help in minimizing future occurrences. Thank you that I am no longer a slave to sin and by living out Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” I am enjoying a growing relationship with you and Jesus Christ. 

My Foot Washing in China

Lesson #209

As we start this lesson, my thoughts go back to our previous two lessons. What occurred before the Feast of the Passover that we know about from our text? The fact that Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to go to the Father. It also appears that before the supper mentioned in verse 2, Judas had already decided to betray Jesus. That, I believe occurred two days earlier at the dinner at Simon’s house. I don’t believe the foot washing mentioned in verses 3 – 11 occurred at Simon’s house, because if it did it would have been mentioned before. Foot washing also occurs as you enter the house, not after eating. The special event at Simon’s house was Mary anointing Jesus. The special event at this supper is the foot washing event. At this point my thinking is leaning toward this supper not being the meal at Simon’s house.

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist” (John 13:3 – 4 ESV). Here Jesus is stating that he has power and authority over all other persons and things, to make them subservient to his purposes. His Father had sent him to earth to provide a means of salvation and when that was accomplished, he would return to his Father, where he would sit at the Father’s right hand, to have a name above every name, and to have angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. This Jesus, who is above all, rose from supper to humble himself by washing the feet of his disciples.

“Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:5 ESV). Washing a person’s feet when coming into someone’s home was a job of a servant. We understand this from 1 Samuel 25:41, when David sent for Abigail to come and be his wife “she rose and bowed with her face to the ground and said, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord”” (ESV). Here we see the Son of God, the coming Messiah, humbling himself to the role of a servant, leaving us an example. Some think Jesus may have started with the feet of Judas to begin to develop remorse in him with this example of kindness and love. Jesus knew Judas was his enemy, but he still reached out to him like he was one of his followers. Others think Jesus may have started with Peter, but these are only hunches.

“He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”” (John 13:6 ESV). Peter had often seen the great humility of Jesus, but never to this extent. As one who was proud this was very difficult for him to accept and he resists by saying, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” I understand this because I found myself in such a position twice while I taught in an underground school in China. One night when I was getting ready for bed, a knock came to my door. The wife of the school’s leader and a female student wanted to enter. I allowed them in and they came in with a basin of water and a towel. I knew what they wanted to do and as a proud American I admit I was uncomfortable at first. Each of the two washed a foot and dried it and as they did they shared with me how much my teaching and my love for them meant to them. By the end of their service, God had done a special work in my heart. It was an event packed with so much meaning that it is something, under those circumstances, I will never forget. The following night the leader of the school and a male student came in and repeated the process. Two weeks later, after I had just returned to my home in the US, I learned that the authorities found the school and took everyone, who didn’t manage to escape, into custody. I am so thankful I was not there at the time; my heart still aches for them.

Prayer

Father, what an important lesson we have for us here. We must remember that we are your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). The Scriptures are clear that we, as servants, are to serve in obedience out of love for you. Father, forgive us and have mercy on us because of our attraction to the world, its things and pleasures and our desire to enjoy them, instead of finding joy in you and in serving you in humility. Father, as we have turned from serving you, our love has grown cold, the church has lost its value, in the mind of unbelievers, and its impact on our culture and as a result spiritual darkness is growing across our country. Father, we do not deserve to experience the kindness of your grace, but your discipline of judgment for our disobedience. Please, have mercy on us. 

Judas Decides to Betray Jesus

Lesson #208

Chapter 13 begins with, “Now before the Feast of the Passover,” which creates a time problem that commentators can’t agree on. There seem to be two possibilities: The meal mentioned in verse 2 occurred at Simon’s house at Bethany, two days before the Passover, or the meal was the Passover meal. I will not go into the arguments for either interruption, but will make some comments along the way.

“During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him,” (John 13:2 ESV). As treasurer of the disciples, Judas had big plans to be treasurer in the coming kingdom, but when Jesus began to talk about dying and not establishing an earthly kingdom, I believe Judas began to resent Jesus. I believe the breaking point came for Judas when Mary poured the expensive ointment on Jesus during the meal at Simon’s house. Judas saw that that act kindness and worship as a waist and a lost opportunity for financial gain, had the ointment been sold and the money given to Jesus to give to the poor. I believe Judas decided at that time that he would betray Jesus and following that meal at Simon’s house, Judas went to the chief priests and made arrangements to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14 – 16).

Before we can go any farther we need some clarification in our text. Consider just the following: “During supper . . . Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper” (John 13:2 – 4a). The piece I left out is: “when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him.” At the time of writing this lesson, I believe the devil put into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus at the time of the anointing of Jesus at Simon’s house. A very big question I am now facing for the first time pertains to who the father of Judas was. Was Simon the leper, where the meal is being served two days before Passover, the father of Judas? Commentators are divided over this. At this LINK the argument is presented that he was. Personally, I do not have an opinion on this yet.

Now that we have mentioned the time when Judas decided to betray Jesus and the question of who his father might be, I want to say no more about this and try to move on. I am going to end this lesson at this point, with these issues left open. With the next lesson we will move on with verse 3.

Prayer

Father, when we do a verse by verse study like this we are bound to encounter some difficult verses that are not easy to interpret. This is one of them. We do the best we can and then move on. Maybe someday we will find something that will help us understand these difficult verses. Father, I think it is best that we move on to that which is easier to understand. There is a saying that I have often heard Alistair Begg use: “The main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things.” This lesson was not about a plain thing. 

Coming Departure

Lesson #207

With this lesson we begin our study of chapter 13. The first major section, defined by John 13:1 – 20, can be divided into three smaller sections: verses 1 – 4, getting ready to wash the disciple’s feet; 5 – 11, washing the disciple’s feet; verses 12 – 21, instructions from Jesus. Remember, Jesus has ended his public ministry and will devote his remaining time, before his trial, with his disciples.

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1 ESV). The Feast of the Passover was instituted as a memorial of the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt, where they existed as slaves. Like the Jewish slaves, as believers, we are sojourners and exiles in a foreign land (1 Peter 2:11 ESV), viewed as bondslaves of God (1 Peter 2:16 NASB) looking forward to our deliverance. God used Moses to deliver the people from Egypt and he would use Jesus to deliver believers from this dark sinful world in which we now serve. This feast would be the last for Jesus, provides the setting for his death on the cross, followed by his resurrection from the grave, which provides for our deliverance.

“Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father.” He states this in John 12:23: “And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (ESV). This is the hour for which he has long waited for; the event he has been trying to explain to and prepare the people for. Opposition against his has finally become a crisis with the breach with the authorities at the breaking point and with the disciples trembling in doubt in their sandals. The hour had come for Jesus to die on the cross, but that death was not final; it was the beginning point of his departure out of this world to the Father. “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (John 16:28 ESV). Death was not the end point for Jesus, but a departure to a closer and more intimate relations and communion with his Father than was possible, even for him, in this sinful world. This work he finished on the cross and his departure to the Father, provides him the right to deliver us, who are believers, also to the Father.

“having loved his own who were in the world” were the ones chosen and given to him by the Father. You might want to search back to our study of John 6:37: “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” and John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (ESV). These who were his would continue on in the world until their time of departure and while they were here most would experience tribulation; “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours” (John 15:18 – 20 ESV).

John ends the sentence with: “he loved them to the end.” His love for them was constant in this life and because of our departure we would be together for an eternity, so that love will continue on without end.

Prayer

Father, what a wonderful verse this was; to be reassured of his love and our departure when our time comes to an end here in the world. How exciting it is to study a plan, developed in the beginning, and now completed on the cross that provides our deliverance and access to your loving presence for an eternity; a deliverance we don’t deserve, but out of love and mercy, through grace was provided as a free gift; a free gift to us, but it cost you everything. Father, forgive us and show us mercy for taking this sacrifice so lightly and not in return express our love and gratitude in obedient service. 

There Is Life in His Words

Lesson #206

With this lesson we come to the end of chapter 12 and the final two verses: “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me” (John 12:49 – 50 ESV). Again Jesus makes it clear that he is not speaking from his authority, but from the authority of his Father. This would indicate that supreme authority in the Trinity belongs to the Father, with delegated authority to the Son, even though they are equal in deity. In a similar fashion the authors and the prophets of the Bible received input from God and then through their humanity and culture spoke and wrote. With three persons of equal deity making up the Trinity, there has to be one with supreme authority, which is the Father, with the rest being in subjection. That which the Father gives to the Son comes with the authority and importance of a commandment. It is something we must take time to hear, understand and obey, because what is said or written will form judgment against us later.

The importance of these words can be seen in the following: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36 ESV); “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:12 – 13 NASB). To reject the words of Jesus is to reject and insult the Father. His words spoken through Jesus are no less important that the words spoken on Sinai. The oneness of the Trinity in this is amazing. The Logos came to earth in the form of flesh in the person of Jesus. The Father speaks with supreme authority the words of life through the Logos and only through the work of the Spirit are people able to understand.

Through twelve chapters we have witnessed the public ministry of Jesus. The Logos found adequate utterance through the human life and lips of Jesus and as a result the Father has be amply revealed so that the one who hears and does not keep what was spoken has turned away from life to remain spiritually dead and on eternal judgment. Back in John 8:28, Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me” (ESV). There is still time to believe what was said, but once death comes to a person, that person will then see and understand, but it will be too late then because salvation is based on faith, not on sight. The demons validate that conclusion. They saw and knew who Jesus was, but like the unbeliever after death, faith is then no longer a factor.

Prayer

Father, it has been a wonderful journey with Jesus through these twelve chapters. For me they have been life changing as I am not the same person that I was when we started one year ago. I pray that this is also true of those who faithfully followed the study. It is with great anticipation that I look ahead to a greater depth of teaching as Jesus spends time with the disciples before his coming trial. I pray that the next year of study will be empowered by the Spirit as we sit at the feet of Jesus and learn.

P.S. Invite a friend to join us as we start chapter 13 next time.

Christ Relationship to the Believer

Lesson #205

In the last lesson we looked at the characteristics of one who believes in Jesus. In this lesson the emphasis is on Christs relation to the believer. “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (John 12:47 ESV). Jesus came into the world as light, so that whoever believes in him may not remain in darkness (v46). The emphasis in verse 47 is on his words, which the whole future of mankind will be affected. What we do with those words is very important because, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26 – 27 NASB). Woe to the one who hears but does not act because an awful charge of responsibility is now assessed to that person.

Jesus said that he will not judge the person for hearing and not acting, because that is not what he came for. While on earth, Jesus will not pronounce a sentence against disobedience because he came to be our savior. The person is already condemned because he believes not. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:17 – 19 ESV). There will be a time in the future when Jesus will judge. We find an indication of this in John 5:22: “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son” (ESV).

“The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day” (John 12:48 ESV). “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14 ESV). The Word, the Son of God, in flesh as Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). These are the words that must be received, believed and acted upon and if they are not then they in turn will judge that person on the last day.

What is Christs’ relationship to you? Is he your savior and as a result God abides in you and you in God? If so, then you should have come to know and to believe the love God has for you. “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment” (1 John 4:16b – 17a ESV). Our future is determined by what we do with the words of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, thank you for providing the way of salvation through your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you that he is not only the way and eternal life, but he is also the source and foundation of truth. As the Word, what Jesus said is truth, no manner what else anyone thinks or believes. Thank you that by grace I have been saved through faith. My salvation is not based on anything I did; it is simply the gift of God. Father, thank you for that gift. 

Characteristics of the Believer

Lesson #204

With this lesson we begin the last section of chapter 12, defined by John 12:44 – 50. The words of this section are Jesus’ final public words and pertain to his coming to save the world. “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:44 – 46 ESV). The last public words seem to have ended at John 12:36, which then would make this section a summary inserted by John of things spoken before. These three verses characterize the belief of the believer.

“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me” is a way of saying belief in the Father requires belief in the Son. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV) implies belief in Jesus as the only way to have access to the Father. We must believe the Father when three times he spoke from heaven testifying that Jesus was his Son, sent by him. The Father and his Son come together. You can’t have one without the other and when you believe in both of them and are born again, you receive the third person of the eternal Godhead, the Spirit who comes to eternally dwell within you.

“And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”” (John 14:7 – 9 ESV). “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 ESV). “And [Jesus] is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3 NASB). It is clear from these verses that Jesus stands before us as a means for us to know the Father. We must study the life and person of Jesus if we are to know God. There is simply no other way as he is the only way to know and to go to the Father.

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” We have heard this before: “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12 ESV). Jesus is light and that light provides eternal life. That light removes the darkness of spiritual death and by that light we can see and understand.

To believe in God requires that we believe in Jesus. To see Jesus allows us to know and see God. Coming to Jesus in faith opens up our heart to the light of his saving grace and transfers us from the domain of darkness into the eternal kingdom of the beloved Son. These are some things that characterize the one who believes in Jesus and is obedient to his Lordship.

Prayer

Father, Jesus is clearly the only way to God. Is it any wonder the devil works so hard to keep people from knowing Jesus and has established such an effective army to persecute those who do find him or maybe find ways to distract believers with things of the world? Father, help us to be intentional in our walk with Jesus, to be willing to pay any cost to follow him to the end. Father, have mercy on us when we don’t.