The Gospel of John Lesson 65 (02-23-14) John 15:20-27

The Gospel of John Lesson 65 (02-23-14)

Lesson 65 – John 15:20-27

In v. 20 Jesus reminds them of something that He had shared with them earlier that evening just following His last supper with them. He told them to remember back earlier that evening in their conversation that He had told them that a servant is not greater than his lord and that those that are sent to proclaim a message or perform an act on behalf of their master are sent to carry out the will of the master and not their own.

Jesus had shared this with them just after His giving them the visual example of serving each other using the unpleasant and dirty task of washing their feet. His example to them at that time was to be willing to serve and meet one another’s needs in a spirit of love and humility and not out of mere duty alone. As the night and the conversation went on, Jesus expanded on the example of service of washing their feet, explaining to them that a servant must be willing to do anything that the master would ask them to do while they are in his service. However, again, His example to them was to perform their task in the spirit of service and not out of mere duty.

It is a servant’s obligation to participate in the things of their master’s life. A servant’s life while in their master’s service becomes their master’s. This was especially true at the time that Jesus said this to them. A good servant not only performed the task that was requested of them by their master, but a good servant took thought and care to do what is requested in the spirit of their master. It was as if the master himself were doing it.

Jesus was asking them to watch Him. He was the perfect example of the perfect servant. While in service for His Master in this world His only desire was to represent His Father and do His will. He did not come to make a reputation for Himself even though in serving His Master He developed a definite reputation. There was no doubt from those who saw Jesus that He was representing the Father. This is what angered those who would end up rejecting Him and His message.

Jesus in v. 20 was asking them to follow His example, and, as good servants fully represent Him and not themselves in His absence. They were to find themselves lost in Christ and His will, abiding in their Master and in His will, acting on His behalf.

However, being a servant of this Master was different. Many masters give their servants duties and tasks that are menial, difficult or unpleasant, tasks that they themselves do not want to do. Jesus however led by example. He only asked them to do what they saw Him doing.

The only problem was that they saw Him do a lot. In repeating His comment in v. 20 about a servant being willing to do whatever they saw their master do He was reminding them that if they were truly abiding in Him that they would be willing to do whatever they saw Him doing, doing it in the same spirit as their Master. This included the not so glorious tasks of washing feet and dealing with this world’s abuse aimed at their Master now being directed at them in the form of persecution.

But, this position of being a servant to the Most High does not involve just dealing with the down and dirty that this world can throw at us because of Him. It also has some tremendous rewards associated with being involved in the work of establishing His Kingdom. At the end of v. 20 He reminds them again that this world is divided into two sides or kingdoms, and, even though it is true that one side will indeed hate them, the other side will embrace them, and there are a lot of wonderful people on the embracing side. In saying this Jesus reminds them that they were not alone in serving Him.

In verses 20 and 21 He tells them how to tell the difference between the two sides. He tells them that in abiding and doing His will the two sides will naturally manifest themselves. Doing His will has a way of bring out what is really inside of people.

He tells them in serving Him that by the reaction of others to their serving their Master that they will be able to tell who is who. He says in these verses that those who did not know the Father would react with opposition and quite often some form of persecution to their serving Him and doing His will. At times this persecution and reaction will be found to be quite drastic, going beyond pleasant. However, in obeying the Master, others will treat them royally, treating them with honor and respect, acting on the words and principles that they share with them in Him Name.

Some in our day have the perspective that the Gospel and God’s words have to be watered down or couched in something considered less offensive to be received. However, Jesus’ words here do not imply this. It is here that Jesus tells them to be straightforward and honest with their actions and His message telling them in doing so that they can usually expect one of two reactions. He told them that in proclaiming His message those who will receive it will embrace and receive it, and, at the same time, in being straightforward and clear in sharing His message that it will also be evident as to those who are against Him.

It would be nice if it were true that all would eventually give into the truth of the Gospel and believe and receive it, but this idea is found nowhere in Scripture. Anywhere where God’s Word and message is proclaimed we are told that the reaction to it will be divisive. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that God’s Word and message will divide out the good and the bad making it clear and easier to see that which is light and what is dark in us. Some having their heart melted by this message, being convicted of their sin, will receive God’s message of forgiveness and hope, welcoming it, while others, will find it offensive and narrow often reacting in anger, often retaliating in words or actions of persecution.

It should be said that some in thinking that they are receiving persecution for bring God’s message are in reality receiving a reaction to their message because they deliver what they call God’s message in a judgmental or demeaning way. In doing so, those who receive an unfavorable reaction often receive a reaction to their message because it is not delivered in the spirit that Jesus intended. This is not what Jesus referred to as persecution for identifying with Him. Although Jesus’ message was clear and straightforward it was always proclaimed in a spirit of love, compassion and respect.

In reading Jesus’ words here it appears to me that we need to be more preoccupied with being perceptive about what God’s Holy Spirit is at work doing than trying to find some new and supposedly more effective technique in sharing the Gospel with those around us. Our effectiveness in proclaiming His message depends on abiding in Christ and His Spirit as we proclaim His message. The Gospel is straightforward and simple… God came to die and pay the debt for sinners.  This is our message. It is not an easy message, but it is a message of hope for all that will receive it.

However, in I John 4:5-6 John again reminds us of the end outcome for sharing this message.  Those who are looking for hope will eventually receive it, and, those who side with this world system will not only reject it, but will often be offended and angry because of it. John says that it will be obvious to us which is which if we are watching close enough. Here is how the Apostle John puts it:

1 John 4:5-6

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ⁶ We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Again, in telling us these things Jesus tells His followers to get use to it…this world is made up of wheat and tares…and, we need to choose where we abide and get on with serving our Master.

In vs. 22-5 Jesus tells them that the Gospel did not come just for those who would receive it, but will accomplish its purpose in all. Some will receive it unto eternal life and others will have the response of rejecting it, in the end being judged by it unto eternal damnation. I know that this is strong language, but this is the Gospel message.

Jesus tells them in these verses that in His coming, those who reject His message now because of His coming will be judged now having no excuse. He says that if He had not come they would not have been held accountable for their transgressions. It is not that He could have chosen not to come and just let sin have its way and continue on as just a thing that happens. But, He had to come. For sin un-judged and unchecked is damaging and continues to expand its boundaries. Left unchecked and un-judged there is no telling just how much damage there would be.

In v. 24 Jesus says that He left those who chose not to believe no doubt as to Who He was and what He came to do. V. 24 says that He did what no other man could do. It was evident by their response to His message and life. He tells them in v. 23 that their response to His message and witness to them was one of hatred, hating Him and the One that sent Him, His Father, without a cause. Their reaction was representative and proof positive as to where they stood when using I Jn. 4:5-6 to measure their response. Jesus gave them no cause for this hatred. What he had offered them was hope out of a heart of love. It was their own sin that caused their indignation.

In vs. 26 and 27 He tells them that as time goes on, even after He is gone, that it will become even more evident as to Who He was and what He came to do. He tells them further about the coming Comforter, that when the One that God the Father would send to them, God’s Spirit, He would make it even more evident to them and also to those of this world as to who He was.

In chapter 16 Jesus will make known to His disciples another responsibility of God’s Spirit. He will tell them that as the Spirit identifies and witnesses righteousness to them and to this world, and, in doing so, by virtue of His righteousness, He will continue to point out and convict this world of its sin and need for a Savior.

In v. 27 Jesus will give them a job and a purpose. He tells them that they will have the duty of bearing witness that He indeed is the Messiah, God’s elect One. However, He tells them that their job will not be a difficult one. He tells them that it will be a natural. They will be a witness by doing just what they have been doing all along while they were with Him.

However, Jesus knows that it in reality will be more difficult for them than just a walk in the park, for in obeying Jesus the opposition will turn up the heat on them. He ends up telling them in 16:1 not to be offended by the difficulty He will cause them.