The Gospel of John Lesson 50 (10-20-2013) John 13:15-17

The Gospel of John Lesson 50 (10-20-2013)

Lesson 50 – John 13:15-17

Meanwhile, other forces were at work at the table. They did not go unaware or unnoticed by Jesus even though the rest of the disciples were oblivious to the happenings. The disciples were caught up in the moment of fellowship with their Lord, but even though Jesus was also thoroughly enjoying the moment with them He was not unaware of what was happening in the background.

 In v. 2 John tells us that the devil was continuing to work out his plan in seducing Judas. Judas’ heart had already decided that he wanted more than Jesus was offering willing to do anything to get it, even if it meant betraying Someone very close to him.  However, in v. 2 of chapter 13 Judas had not been fully seduced over to complete darkness as yet. I personally cannot even imagine how he could have sat at the dinner table with the Lord knowing what was in his heart all along intentionally and purposely planning within moments to betray Him. What a picture of the heart of man and the darkness that it is capable of. We like to point the finger at Judas, but the truth is that any one of us is capable of such and in reality could have been chosen for this task. Without God’s intervention men’s hearts are capable of such being seduced by the darkness of sin that is found there.

In a broad look at chapter 13 the others at the table even though they were committed to the light that Jesus spoke of understood the possibility of giving into the darkness and its temptation and seduction. John and the other Gospel writers record the response of the other Disciples to Jesus’ comment concerning someone at their very table betraying Him. Later in John’s Gospel, 13:22, we see the Apostle John record the disciples’ response. They were found looking at each other wondering who Jesus could be referring to as He told them of this betrayal.

However, in the other Gospels, the other writers make it even more plain and descriptive, Matt. 26:22, Mark 14:19 and Lk. 22:23, telling us that their response was a response of even doubting themselves concerning this statement. They like us probably considered themselves basically to be pretty good people. However, in these passages we find them one by one asking if it was them that would be the one and only that would betray Him. In other words, it seemed that everyone at the table understood the possibility of letting Jesus down and possibly going against Him in this fashion. Down inside even though they innately knew that they could conceivably do such a thing in reality they had hoped that they were not that evil.

Jesus’ statement, however, was not meant to cause all at the table to doubt their commitment to Him at all. His comment was instead more of a warning to the one that would actually end up betraying Him. In all probability it was meant more as a judgment upon their would be action. It should be remembered that there was two things going on at the table at one time. Yes Judas was heading toward betraying our Lord, but at the same time Jesus was finishing up His final moments with His Disciples instructing them in the remaining details that He had to share with them before His departure. He was encouraging them, not discouraging them, to fully commit to what was before them.

In v. 17 of chapter 13 He tells them something that is extremely important. He tells them the ‘Secret of the Kingdom’. In essence He tells them if they study and learn this Kingdom principle that He has shown to them, and apply what they have seen that they will experience something that cannot be obtained by the practices of their former lifestyle…happiness or Joy!

Nothing satisfies the soul like giving and caring for another that has a real need denying yourself in the process. There is something about giving in that way that is extremely satisfying and fulfilling. Jesus shared with them the example of a seed that dies to self producing much fruit in the process in chapter 12 vs. 24-5. We often think of the fruit that sacrificial giving produces in others when we give to them, but forget that it also produces fruit in us bringing us much Joy, pleasure and satisfaction in this present life. Later we see the Apostle John go further in sharing what he had learned that night found in the writings of his first epistle. He shared further and expounded on this principle telling them in I John 1:4 that in knowing and applying these things that their Joy would indeed be full.

Jesus’ comment in verse 17 concerning service and the Joy that it produces begs a question. ‘Are we experiencing Joy in our life?’, and, if not, why not? When one first begins to think about and answer this question we automatically do a life check asking ourselves how busy we are in doing things supposedly for those around us. But, foot washing is different. It is not done out of the duty of ‘how much’, or just doing the deed, but is done out of love, caring for the one in need completely. ‘How much’ has an element of pride associated with it, being proud of how much we give. In Jesus’ example He was not necessarily telling us to give more and more. His example, like that of the Good Samaritan, was to have more care and compassion in our giving, focused more on the one we are giving to than ourselves for giving.

In reading about Jesus’ example in John 13 the thing that does not necessarily come through the words to us is Jesus’ technique for foot washing. I can only imagine the job that He did on His disciples that night in washing their feet. All I can say is that it must have been a special time of ministry. On the receiving end…wonderful, on Jesus’ end Joyfull! Jesus was not just giving them the textbook version of foot washing. He enjoyed ministering to them being the perfect example of selfless service.