The Gospel of John Lesson 53 (11-10-2013) John 13:36-8

The Gospel of John Lesson 53 (11-10-2013)

Lesson 53 – John 13:36-8

Jesus having given them a new commandment capable of keeping them in His absence tells them of His departure. Again, we read, that this departure from them was not permanent. However, as we have found out, His departure was indeed for an extended season. They would have to live in His absence as if He were present. This was only possible if they would apply the new commandment that they had been given by Him in v. 34 telling them to not only love, but to Love as He had…that was, as only God could. This was humanly impossible. But, as we saw in our last study, this new commandment was not given ale cart, but was packaged with the ability to perform it given with the Power of God to do it contained in it, given with the soon coming Holy Spirit.

Jesus now begins to build on this foundation of this new commandment, in essence telling them that He was indeed leaving them and that they would have to not only behave in His absence, but would have to treat each other right also, applying God’s love in the process. It is interesting to note that at this time even though some of these disciples would eventually take a more lead role in the Church, that He did not leave any one in charge during His absence. He would still be the Shepherd, even in His absence. The Holy Spirit would accomplish this in His absence. The Holy Spirit would fit their different personalities and gifts together as if it were one Body representing the Person of Christ. This would be a mystery that would be visible to the world and that would have no other explanation except that Christ Himself must in some way be alive and still present with them.

In v. 36 we see a very intimate moment. Jesus tells them that He is going away. Peter opens his heart wide, uncaring and unafraid of who is listening and looking at the moment, which is typical for Peter.  It is a tender moment even though the discussion eventually ends up in a rebuke. The first part of their discussion appears to be genuine, Peter not wanting to be separated from his Lord. In this Peter’s emotion is true, and, he is to be commended for it. His Lord is leaving, and he will miss Him. We find Peter verbally expressing what they all must have been feeling concerning Jesus’ statement of His departure. This was a very difficult moment for all of them. It is only natural for Peter and the others to want to go with Him.

However, as the discussion continues we see another trait of Peter’s expressed…pride. Peter was always talking and rarely if ever listening. In v. 36 Jesus answers Peter’s question giving him and the others a promise that they would eventually join Him later. However, as often is seen with Peter, this answer was not good enough for him. Instead of asking Jesus what He wanted him to do in His absence, Peter in essence tells Jesus that he has a better plan and that he cannot understand why he can’t go with Him right now.

It is apparent from Peter’s reply that Peter thought that the reason that Jesus would not let him go with Him at this time was that the task ahead was too big or difficult for Peter. Peter as yet did not understand the concept of the Lord seeing the ‘bigger picture’, so to speak, and, clearly was still in the mindset of advancement of the Kingdom using earthly means such as force and power. In this Peter saw himself as the obvious choice, or, in other words, ‘God’s man’ for the job. Peter will remain in this mindset until after the Cross.

Peter was not ready to truly ‘follow’ his Lord. His response to Jesus’ beginning to prepare him and the others for the task ahead was still one of dominance. It was a selfish and prideful response saying in essence that I am your man. The new commandment just given to him had gone right over the top of his head. Peter had not as yet bought into Jesus’ plan.

In reality Peter did not even know what Jesus’ plan was. Jesus had not fully revealed the plan to them as yet. He was just beginning to do that. However, it was obvious that Peter had a plan. His own plan of how this should go. We will see Jesus instruct and teach them the plan and strategy in the next few chapters, however, it was obvious from Peter’s response that Peter thought that he had it all already figured out and that Jesus could not accomplish this task without him.

Before we criticize Peter too quickly, however, it would be good for us to recognize and acknowledge that we are often found to be like Peter. This all too often is a common pattern and problem with Jesus’ followers. If we were more careful to listen and then follow God’s prompting in many of our endeavors we might be more fruitful. It is true much of the Church in our day is found sitting doing nothing so we must give Peter some credit. However, just as much potential damage can be done, accompanied with a lot of wasted effort and activity in acting and doing without knowing God’s plan or seeking His direction in a matter.

Peter’s response in v. 37 tells us that he thought that he knew the plan or at least had his own plan of how to make this work. He saw no need to just hang out doing menial tasks of what he considered to be of lesser importance and value.

The word that describes how Peter saw staying behind was ‘boring’. He wanted to be where he thought the action was. At this point he was not thinking Heaven. Jesus had not yet explained that to them. Peter was thinking and wanted to be a part of God establishing and setting up His Kingdom on earth. Peter thought, “That’s where the action is”. Staying behind was for someone of lesser ability and strength. What Peter did not realize at that time was that there would be plenty of action found in staying behind.

In looking at our position today in God’s plan we find ourselves in a similar mindset as was Peter in some ways. The common thought or desire is that we want to leave this place and go to ‘be with Jesus’. We think ‘that’s where the action is’. However, we couldn’t be more mistaken. Although Jesus is at work right now doing whatever He is doing (He is at work doing many things), the ‘action’ so to speak is right here on earth, right now, where we are.

To be sure God’s attention is on this place right now, and, He is very much at work right here in our world. I believe that there is no place right now that receives more of God’s attention and action and work in His creation than planet earth. Our preoccupation with Heaven, although it is eventually our Blessed Hope and promise, so often can distract us from our present task and mission on the earth here and now. These twelve men had task ahead of them and although they needed a hope for their ultimate future, which Jesus is about to share with them, they also needed to be focused on the task before them that was of critical important. In the next few chapters we will see Him ready them for the task at hand while also planting in their heart the hope of their ultimate destination when their work is done, that of being with Him in Heaven.

For the moment, Jesus is helping Peter with His perception of reality concerning himself. In v. 37 Peter’s perception of why Jesus would not let him go with Him was that he was not ready to commit to the difficulty that might ahead. Peter assuring Jesus that he is able and worthy of the task tells Jesus that he would be willing to lay down his life…if need be.

However, Jesus questions him on this, knowing the reality of Peter’s true and not perceived ability. Jesus knows in reality who we are and what we are capable of doing or not doing as the case may be. It is interesting that Jesus’ statement to Peter concerning his willingness to lay down his life is quite direct and clear. Jesus did not beat around the bush concerning this issue. Peter’s pride and his desire to be preeminent with respect to all the others would not only dramatically affect Peter’s ability to have an effective ministry, but it could also injure the Church at large. Personalities such as this often crush or discourage good collateral ministries in the process seeing themselves as the only possible option or answer. Jesus had big plans for Peter, but He could not realize them in him like this. Peter’s pride had to be dealt with. Jesus will continue to point this out to Peter in the remaining chapters of John’s Gospel.

When Peter would finally deny even knowing Jesus these words found here in v. 38 will play back to him loud and clear concerning his inability to do Jesus’ will in his own power. To Peter there will be no denying what Jesus was referring to. Even as Jesus was speaking these words to Peter, I am sure that Peter already knew that Jesus was right. However, again, this would not be the last confrontation that Jesus would have with Peter concerning this issue. We will see Jesus again pointedly dealing with Peter concerning his pride even at the end of this Gospel in Chapter 21.