John 16, Hard times will come in the Christian life, but they don't have to destroy us if we prepare a foundation ahead of time

John 16:1-4 (NIV) "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. 2 They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3 They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 4 I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you. I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.

5 "Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

• Why is Jesus afraid that they will go astray?
• Because the pressure on them will increase
• Their faith will be challenged to the point of death
• People who attack them will see themselves as the righteous one
• Why do you think Jesus gives them this warning at this time?
• Because Jesus will not be around to protect them
• Numerous times, Jesus stopped an attack in some supernatural or unexplained reason (walking away, reasoning, etc)
• Is the warning still true today or was this only true for the first century church?
• While all but one (the author) apostle dies a horrific death, actually the second and third century are far more difficult
• While it is not true (per se) in America, in many countries (mostly Muslim) it is still happening today and has happened all throughout time. The key is that it is a warning -- some will face it and some will not (to the same degree)
• Both Peter and Thomas ask Jesus where he is going, so why does Jesus say that no one asks him where he is going?
• This is hard to understand. Actually shows the veracity of the scriptures because it would seem like a contradiction, except that it is written by one author by one (less than 24 hour) experience
• Maybe they did not ask the question Jesus was expecting (the depth)
• Maybe they are not asking the question now and should be. If so why are they not asking the question?
• They are full of grief
• When you are emotional, you are seldom logical
• Arguments do not work to help a person through an emotional time. Sometimes, we just have to let them work through it
• The argument here is that it is better that Jesus leave, because a helper / counselor will replace him
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit and why is it important?
• Convict the world of guilt in regard to sin:
• "Because men do not believe in (him)"
• It is our sin which keeps us from believing in Jesus
• Convict the world of guilt in regard to righteousness:
• "(Jesus) is going to the Father, where you can see (him) no longer"
• The only person who ever lived perfect righteousness is Jesus Christ. Jesus' life convicted people of the huge gap between them and God. Now the HS will have to do that work
• Convict the world of guilt in regard to judgment:
• "Because the prince of this world now stands condemned"
• For those who continue to follow Satan's evil ways, they will be judged and condemned as he now is (actually this is somewhat future because it is finished with Jesus' death and resurrection)
• APPLICATION: The Christian life will have hard times and times of grief, but we have a counselor to help us through those times and to help us continue the mission

John 16:12-24 (NIV) "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

17 Some of his disciples said to one another, "What does he mean by saying, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" 18 They kept asking, "What does he mean by 'a little while'? We don't understand what he is saying."

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, "Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, 'In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me'? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

• Jesus encourages them with another fact. What is it and why is it important?
• There is more he wants to tell them (though they can't bear it)
• The Spirit of Truth will reveal it at the appropriate time
• The Spirit will take "from what is mine" (Jesus wisdom) and make it known to us
• So, now the disciple are confused by the sentence "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me," and the phrase "in a little while," why?
• If he is going to heaven, then how could he come back?
• Is he going to heaven and then we see him in heaven? Does that mean we are going to do in a little while?
• Is "a little while" like 50 years so that we can see him after we have lived a full life?
• How does Jesus explain it to them?
• You are going to grieve (probably means he is dead)
• But then something so good will happen, that you will forget your grief
• I will see you again (disciples are probably not sure when or how though)
• The phrase "in that day" refers to when they will see him again and then they can ask for anything in (Jesus') name and he will give it to them
• We already discussed from the previous mention of this same thought (in the upper room) that this had to be in the will of God
• The promise is that we will receive and our joy will be complete
• APPLICATION: The real problem is that few of us pray and ever fewer of us pray for things according to God's will. Consequently, most of us miss out on the complete joy that Jesus offers

John 16:25-33 (NIV) "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."

29 Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."

31 "You believe at last!" Jesus answered. 32 "But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

• Why does Jesus need to speak figuratively? At all?
• Interesting question. God uses language to hide details. He does not make everything obvious. Some things require work, study, and research
• God wants us to use our brains
• What is clear?
• Jesus is going to heaven, that is he is going to die
• He is leaving the world
• It seems unusual that Jesus' words have such an effect on the disciples
• What is the promise for the future?
• Scattered
• Trouble
• Peace in the midst of trouble
• APPLICATION: Jesus discourse is near an end. While there are encouraging statements, most of it is sad. The Christian life will not always be roses and cream, and in the NT, those things are almost never promised. Most of the promises talk about persecution, opposition, and trouble. And the promises revolve around prayer, the Holy Spirit, joy, peace, and love among the body. Question for us is this -- do we have the right expectations?

John 15, Jesus' keys: the basics of discipleship (word, prayer, fellowship, witnessing, obedient, and Lordship)

John 14:31b (NIV) … "Come now; let us leave."
John 15:1-8 (NIV) "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.


5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.


• So where are they?
• Probably heading out toward the  Mount of Olives
• They traveled from the city through the Kidron Valley, up to the Mount of Olives where the Garden of Gethsemane is located
• In the OT, Israel is often referred to as the vine, but it is a vine that produces no fruit. So what is Jesus saying?
• He is the true vine (an Israelite who obeyed and produced fruit)
• His Father, God, is the gardener (and has always been the gardener)
• What is the role of a gardener?
• Helps the vine to grow
• Provides nutrients, works the ground
• Protects it from attackers (insects, disease)
• Prunes of whole branches when they are dead
• Prunes off parts of branches when they suck life from the main branch
• Graft in new branches when he wants to extend the plant
• What is the purpose of the vine? To produce fruit
• What happens to the vine that does not produce fruit?
• It may be pruned
• It could be cutoff. [Now in this context, we know from other verses that our salvation is secure, otherwise our salvation would be based on works, since continuing in the salvation would requires works. It is entirely possible for God to take a believer out of this life but he would not lose his salvation.]
• Also, in this context, there are essentially only a few vines: believing Israel; unbelieving Israel; and  the church
• What is our responsibility as part of the vine?
• To remain in Jesus
• To have Jesus' words remain in us
• To produce fruit (proves our discipleship)
• How do we do this practically?
• We must be in the word
• We must be praying
• We must be serving (producing fruit)
• APPLICATION: where are you the weakest and what can you do this week to grow in that area?


John 15:9-17 (NIV) "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.


• Jesus is reiterating things that he already emphasized in the upper room. What are they and why is he repeating himself?
• The importance of loving each other
• The importance of obeying, being a doer of the word
• The importance of bearing fruit (previous section)
• Why? Because these are the really important things
• What is the result of life lived like this?
• Joy in you
• Complete joy
• John 13-16 now resembles the wheel illustration, which is a picture of a disciple
• Word
• Prayer
• Fellowship (love)
• Witnessing (fruit)
• Christ the center (remain in him)
• Obedience or application to your life


John 15:18-27 (NIV) "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.'


26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.


• We will have joy but that does not mean life with go well. What are the uncomfortable promises of the passage?
• The world will hate you
• The world will persecute you
• The world will treat us differently because of our commitment to Jesus Christ
• But you will not be left alone, why?
• Because the HS will be in us
• He does not say the HS will protect us from trouble or stop painful situations
• The role of the HS is to counsel us and to help us
• In our witness and words
• In our walk with God (our testimony). It is more than words, it is also a lifestyle
• APPLICATION:
• I know I hammer on this a lot, but do people around us know that we stand with Jesus Christ. We don't have to put up a big flag and carry and ten-pound bible. But we can be in a witness in our words (gracious, seasoned with salt), our actions (concern, care, helping), and our explanation of our faith (when asked, being prepared to give a defense with gentleness and respect, 1 Pet 3:15)

John 14, The comfort of presence

John 14:1-7 (NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."


5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"


6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."


• What is the current atmosphere or situation like (based on what has already transpired)?
• Tense, foot washing was uncomfortable -- especially if linked to an argument about who was greatest
• Seeing Jesus visible shaken as he tells them that one of the would betray them
• Solemnity of the occasion. Jesus knows a very difficult and painful death awaits him, and the disciples are possibly picking that up
• Jesus' rebuke of Peter with the knowledge that before the night is over, Peter is going to disown Jesus three times. I might be thinking, "what is happening tonight?"
• Jesus knows what the next few days hold for his disciples, so what does he do?
• He seeks to calm them
• He tells them not to let their hearts be troubled (meaning troubling things are coming)
• Troubling things are a part of life. There is no scripture that says we will escape trouble
• He tells them to trust in God and to trust in him
• Implies God (the Father) and Jesus (the Son) are equivalent (in a sense)
• Trust in God is such a simple answer that it has become trite in our day. How can we recapture the meaning?
• God knows our situation
• God is in control
• God will bring God out of everything, not matter how bad or evil (Rom 11:28 promise, but only for his children)
• He is going to prepare a place
• Meaning he will come back
• Meaning he will take the disciples with him (but they cannot go now)
• Argues against a post-tribulation rapture
• Jesus says to them "you know the way to the place where I am going"
• Thomas' response suggests that maybe Jesus was wrong
• Jesus said that "you know the way," which is him (Jesus). He didn't say that you know the place since it is obvious Thomas does not
• Jesus repeats the "way" and says that the place is where the Father exists. This would be heaven
• Verse 6 is one of the crucial verses in all of Christianity and there are others that reaffirm it. Many people do not like this verse, why?
• Because it refutes the philosophy "many ways lead to God"
• There is only one way to God based on Jesus' statement, who is also God
• Peter reaffirms this point when he is standing before the Sanhedrin
• Acts 4:12 (NIV) Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
• Then Jesus makes his identity (apparently) clear to the disciples. If you know me, then you know the Father. If you have seen me, then you have seen the Father
• This is why Jesus is so troubling to the world because if what he says is true (if he really was a good teacher and not a liar) then his identity as God makes all of his statements absolute in the strongest sense
• And, then there is only one way into heaven


John 14:8-21 (NIV) Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."


9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.


15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."


• Philip's question, while humorous, does reveal the disciple's mindset. What is that?
• Philip and others, still did not recognize who Jesus was
• Philip had an earthly mindset. He didn't understand the importance of the spiritual dimension
• Jesus reply shows us what?
• He and the Father are one
• Prayer, in Jesus' name is effective because will be with the Father
• Is praying in Jesus' name a blank check?
• In context, what is being said is "Praying in Jesus' name means coming to the Father in prayer as Jesus' representative. Jesus introduced the idea of representing Him in verse 12. When we pray in Jesus' name, we claim to be acting for Him. … It is impossible to pray in Jesus' name and to ask something contrary to God's will. These two acts are mutually contradictory." (Constable, 2013)
• Also, Jesus gives us an explanation of the purpose -- it must always be for God's glory
• Jesus adds still another person to the discussion. Who is it and what is his purpose?
• The third member of the trinity, the Holy Spirit (here called the Counselor and the Spirit of truth)
• It is a person the world cannot accept
• It is a person the world cannot see or know
• It is a person who will never leave you
• Love for God is expressed in obedience to his commands. What is the promise?
• If we are obedient God will manifest to us (reveal even more of himself)
• APPLICATION: the way to know God more deeply is to obey his commands


John 14:22-31 (NIV) Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"


23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.


25 "All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.


28 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.


"Come now; let us leave.


• What is the confusion that Judas (also called Thaddeus) has?
• Judas did not recognize that Jesus would reveal himself to them in post-resurrection appearances. He could understand what Jesus was teaching because the events had not happened yet
• This can also be true in our lives. God can reveal something ahead of some event that we don't quite understand because the event has not happened yet
• Jesus seems to ignore Judas and continues the discussion on obedience, why?
• He does answer the question, but apparently Judas interrupts a thought that he has not finished
• The proof of our love for God is our obedience to Jesus' teaching
• The result of our obedience is that God makes his abode in us
• So two abodes are discussed
• The abode that Jesus is preparing for us in heaven
• The abode that God makes in our heart when we put our faith in God
• Also, the Counselor will be sent by the Father in Jesus name
• He will also make his abode in us
• He will remind us of what Jesus taught
• He will give us peace
• Now Jesus returns to Judas question in verse 28. How does he answer?
• It is partially answered by 23-27 in that the revealing of Jesus comes to the obedient
• The prince of this world has authority in this world, so it would not help to reveal himself to the world. Jesus can only truly reveal himself to those who want to obey his teaching
• Also, you won't completely understand everything until after it has happened
• APPLICATION: Jesus emphasized the importance of obedience in loving God and the in knowing God in a greater way. What are of our life are we struggling with obedience to God?

John 13, The Christian life will be hard with failures and disappointment, and those who love others in service to God will glorify Him

John 13:1-17 (NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.


2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.


6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"


7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."


8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."


Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."


9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"


10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."  11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.


12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.


• What does Jesus know that the disciples have not yet realized?
• This is his last meal with them
• Tomorrow he will die
• So if you were going to die tomorrow, where would you be?
• If you are younger than Jesus (33), then you would probably be with family
• If you are married, you would be with your wife and children
• Jesus spends his last moments with those he loved the most (his disciples)
• If you are Jesus and know that the disciples will be on their own (so to speak) soon, what would you do?
• You would emphasize probably the most important teachings or the most necessary teachings
• So, this is Jesus' last charge to his disciples. What is most important for Jesus to convey right before his death? This is what chapters 13-17 are all about
• The synoptic gospels have very little of the Passover conversation, and none have this event. Luke records a discussion about who would be the greatest (Luke 22:24), and while it would appear to come after the meal, the words "also a dispute arose" could imply that it happened that evening. In which case, this event in John may be Jesus' response to the discussion
• Luke 22:24-25 (NIV) Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
• The very first thing Jesus does is wash the disciple's feet. John apparently recognizes the significance, but why does Jesus consider this such an important thing as to use his last remaining moments washing their feet?
• It certainly can relate to the pride discussion
• It seems to emphasize servant leadership
• The world emphasizes status and position
• Jesus even said "you call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord'," so there will be differences of stature
• Everyone is supposed to serve
• Christianity is characterized by servant-leadership (the additional language of verse 16. "I tell you the truth…," emphasize the importance of the statement)
• It happens in the ministry and in the home. Others are more important than self
• In Jewish culture, servants washed the feet
• A Jewish slave (paying off a debt) was not allowed to do the task. It was below him
• Only Gentile servants could wash someone's feet
• To this day, Arab societies rank themselves among each other by tribe status
• Can you hear the silence in the room as Jesus washes their feet, at least until he comes to Peter?
• What are they thinking?
• What is Peter thinking?
• There is another reason beside emphasizing servant-leadership that Jesus washes their feet, what is it?
• To show the true extent of his love
• He loved them so much that nothing was beneath him or required too much sacrifice to provide
• If you really love someone, you make sacrifices for the other
• If you really only love yourself, you make decisions based on what is best for you, not for others
• Incidentally, in verse 15, Jesus calls the act, an example. There is no implication that this should be a sacrament
• APPLICATION:
• Do you love the other believers?
• Would you sacrifice for them?
• Would you give up something you wanted to do on Tuesday to meet with your brothers and sisters in fellowship?
• Do you say you love, in word and deed, but deep down you know it is not true in your life?


John 13:18-31 (NIV) "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'


19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."


21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."


22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."


25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"


26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.


"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.


• Jesus is pained that one of them would betray him. This is one of those things people will remember later on, but is there a teaching moment in it?
• When Jesus told them he would be betrayed by one of them, what was their reaction?
• One, some thought it might be them (this is healthy introspection)
• Matt 26:21-22 (NIV) And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." // 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"
• Two, no one had figure it out. It was not obvious. Meaning: you will be in church with people who don't even believe the gospel and you will not notice the difference
• Three, John and Peter really wanted to know. We are not sure why. This may explain Peter's outburst in a few moments
• Judas' role as a treasurer suggests what? That everyone trusted him
• Judas was given the bread dipped in wine first
• This was customary for the honored guest
• He also was sitting near Jesus for Jesus to have started with him
• Probably on his left, also a seat of honor, since John was on the right and leaned into Jesus chest
• APPLICATION: The Christian life will not always be easy. And some people who are close to you will disappoint you. The key is that you do not live your Christian life on the basis of others but rather on the basis of a personal relationship with God. In other words, it is not what others are doing that define our actions, but what God asks us to do


John 13:31-38 (NIV) When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.


33 "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.


34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."


36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"


Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."


37 Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."


38 Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!


• Now it is an even tighter group. Jesus talks first about glorifying the Father. How do we glorify God?
• Jn 17:4 says that it is by finishing the work the Father gave him to do
• We glorify God by finishing the work God gave us to do
• APPLICATION: What is my work? How do I figure it out? Does my life glorify God?
• Jesus doesn't repeat a previous instruction but rather gives a new command, "love one another." What is the significance of the command at this point in Jesus' ministry?
• This is the expectation of Jesus in his absence
• The command is not new ("love the Lord God and love your neighbor as yourself"), but what about it is new for the Christian?
• The Christian will be given the power to live it out
• Love would be the distinguishing mark of Jesus' disciples
• What is love?
• 1 Cor 13:4-7 (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
• It puts others ahead of self
• At this point Peter jumps into the discussion. Maybe he wanted to correct something he said earlier. Either way, he wants to make the point that he is fully committed. What is wrong with Peter's statement? Why does he fail?
• The statement is emotional
• The statement is prideful
• Good desires are no substitute for good actions
• APPLICATION:
• We will fail at times. We must repent, get back up, and continue in the work God gave for us to do
• Be careful of the emotional moments on the mountain, they are almost always followed by the dark trips through the valleys. The key is not to avoid the mountains or the valley but to sustain yourself through both.
• You do that with good habits (habits based on love)
• You do that with involvement with other believers (people more important than self)
• You that through service (servant leadership)
• You that through good ministry (loving others)