Jesus Christ - The Night Before He was Crucified

Gospel of John – Lesson 24, 13:1-17
Introduction

Today we are starting the section of the Gospel of John known as the Upper Room Discourse. The events in chapters 13 to 17 take place the evening before the day Jesus is put on the cross. The first event John describes is Jesus modeling and manifesting true humility before His disciples, an act that was prompted by their pride and arrogance. There was a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.
· Matthew 20:20-28: A week or so before the last supper the mother of James and John requested that her sons may sit, one on the right hand of Jesus and the other on His left, in His kingdom. Jesus said, “[it] is not Mine to give, but for whom it is prepared by My Father.” Jesus said to His disciples, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”
· Luke 22:24: Even during the last supper the disciples were disputing among themselves, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.

John 13:1-17

Walking through Jerusalem left a person’s feet smelling like the animal manure that littered the streets after herdsmen and merchants led their flocks to the markets. Customary courtesy called for them to wash their feet before entering the room so that they would not soil and stink up the rugs. This common courtesy of washing their feet was apparently skipped. The disciples were too concerned about which one of them was the greatest to stoop down and wash one another’s feet. [1]

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
[Peter must submit, or leave. If Peter wished to remain in fellowship with Jesus Christ, he had to obey Him. [1] When we disobey God, our fellowship with Him is broken. Our fellowship is restored when we confess our sins to our Father in Heaven, 1 John 1:9.]
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
[Jesus was addressing Peter, not the group, telling him that his earlier bath was enough. From this, He then hints at a deeper truth, namely that the group is not all “clean” in some different sense. Jesus’ allusion to Peter reflects Peter’s need to “wash” himself daily by confessing his sin. Jesus’ allusion to Judas indicates his need to be made righteous before God, through faith in Jesus Christ. [1]]
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Summary

The example Jesus provided is one of service and humility. Jesus is teaching that His disciples have an obligation of mutual service, when He says that they “ought” to wash each other’s feet. And by His example He also teaches humility, because He performed a service He was not required to do, since He was their Lord and Teacher.

Application 1

We are the sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. He has given us everlasting life so that we will live forever in God’s Kingdom. If we want to be His disciples (followers, learners, mature children of God), then we need to be servants of Jesus Christ and servants of one another. If we know these things, happy are we if we do them. Happiness comes from doing, not simply knowing.

Application 2

Derickson and Radmacher [1], p. 42: Jesus said, “I have given you an example” (13:15). Jesus teaches them not only by what He says but also by what He does. We who would teach others, especially our children, need to learn this crucial lesson. Too often, however, we prove to be the legitimate target of the statement, “What you do speaks so loudly I can’t hear what you say.”

Profound Thoughts [1]

· “What I know determines how I think. How I think determines what I do.”
· “One may be a disciple without being a believer [Judas], as well as being a believer without being a disciple (cf. John 12:42).” “God looks at the heart to read our true motives, just as Jesus did with Judas and Peter.”

Footnote:1. Derickson and Radmacher, The Disciplemaker, 2001

Gospel of John – Lesson 25, 13:18-35
Introduction

Last week in the Gospel of John we saw Jesus and His 12 disciples in an upper room the evening before He was crucified. In the middle of supper Jesus got up and laid aside His robe, took a towel and tied it around Himself, and washed His disciples’ feet. The disciples had apparently skipped the customary courtesy of washing their feet before entering the room. The disciples were probably too concerned about which one of them was the greatest to stoop down and wash one another’s feet. The example Jesus provided is one of service and humility. Jesus taught His disciples that they have an obligation of mutual service, when He said, “you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” And by His example He also taught humility. “Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!” [John 13:17]

Continuing the Story in the Upper Room at John 13:18

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

The New Commandment
31 So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him. 32 If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately. 33 Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Summary

None of the disciples knew why Jesus told Judas, “What you are doing, do quickly!” Judas was going into the darkness, leaving the light of Christ. Three years earlier during the Passover Festival Jesus told Nicodemus, “The Light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds are evil. In fact, everyone who does wicked things hates the Light and doesn’t come to the Light, so that his deeds may not be exposed,” John 3:19-20.

After Judas left the group in the upper room Jesus gave a new commandment to the believing disciples: John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” It is essential for His disciples, who will soon become Apostles of the Church, to love one another so that they will be recognized as followers of Jesus. Jesus had earlier given them an example of love in action when He served each one of them by washing their feet. “The love Jesus calls for is active, practical, and visible, being expressed toward fellow believers in tangible ways,” Derickson and Radmacher, The Disciplemaker, 2001.

Application

Paul in his letter to the Philippians [2:3-4] wrote, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” My pastor, Neil, made an application from this passage which demonstrates love in action. He said, “You are more important than me. What can I do for you?” We can apply this to our wives, children, co-workers, church members, and anyone we interact with. Imagine saying this to your wife, “You are more important than me. What can I do for you?”

Gospel of John – Lesson 26, 13:36-14:11

Introduction – Sing: “The Bible Tells Me So” – Faith, Hope, Charity [KJV]
When a man in 17th century England was getting ready to propose to the “love of his life” he would say, “I cherish thee.” “Charity” was the strongest word for love.

Last week in the Gospel of John we continued with Jesus and His 12 disciples having supper the evening before He was crucified. Jesus said, “One of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, at a loss as to whom He was talking about. After Jesus dipped a piece of bread and gave it to Judas Iscariot, Jesus said, “What you are doing, do quickly!” Judas went out immediately. And it was night. Judas was going into the darkness, leaving the light of Christ. After Judas left the group in the upper room Jesus said, “Little children, I am with you a little while longer.” “Where I am going you cannot come.” Then He said, (John 13:34-35) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Continuing the Story in the Upper Room at John 13:36

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” 37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” 38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.

John 14
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

The Father Revealed
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” 8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.

Summary

Peter, saying “I will lay down my life for You!” has not yet learned the lesson of humility that Jesus taught him by washing his feet. The disciples are very concerned about where Jesus is going. To calm His disciples, Jesus “offers three cures for spiritual heart trouble:
1. Faith (‘You believe in God, believe also in Me,’ namely ‘believe what I am telling you’),
2. His Father’s house (‘I go to prepare a place for you’), and
3. His future coming,” (‘I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also’) [1].
Jesus answers Thomas’ question, “How can we know the way,” with [14:6-7] “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Philip says, “Lord, show us the Father …” Philip is still confused. Seeing Jesus is seeing the Father, not His person, but His character and nature. Jesus said, “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me.” “If His disciples wish to see what God is like, they need simply to look at Jesus.” “They clearly understood Jesus to be the Son of God, but had probably not thought in terms of Him being ‘God’ also.” “They had not yet grappled with the concept of three persons sharing the same essence (three distinct persons in one Godhead)” [1]. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are more clearly revealed in the New Testament than in the Old Testament.

Application

Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we don’t know where You’re going, and how can we know the way. “Thomas did know these facts, but the information was still unused ... How much we are like this. There is much that we know from the Lord but we fail to believe it and use it” [1]. If we don’t use it, we lose it. This is true of our muscles and it is true of things we know. If we do not apply the things we have learned from God’s Word, then those things will not benefit us or our families or those around us. “Use it or lose it!”

Footnote:
1. Derickson and Radmacher, The Disciplemaker, 2001

Gospel of John – Lesson 27, 14:12-14:24
Introduction

Last week in the Gospel of John we continued with Jesus and His eleven believing disciples (Judas Iscariot had left) having supper the night before He was crucified. Peter, saying “I will lay down my life for You!” has not yet learned the lesson of humility that Jesus taught him by washing his feet. The disciples are very concerned about where Jesus is going. Jesus said, “And where I am going you know, and you know the way.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.” Jesus later said, “The one who has seen Me has seen the Father. … Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me. …”

Continuing the Story in the Upper Room at John 14:12

The Answered Prayer
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Jesus Promises Another Helper
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Indwelling of the Father and the Son
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

Summary – Highlights of What Jesus told His Disciples in John 14:12-14:24

1. Praying in Jesus Name. At the last supper Jesus told His disciples that if they asked anything in “His Name,” i.e. consistent with His character, He would do it, “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
2. After Jesus is glorified the Father will give the disciples the Holy Spirit, who will stay with them forever.
3. Friendship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I will love him too and reveal Myself to him.” Those who become Christ’s friends are those believers who do what He says because they love Him [1].

Application – Prayer

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to God the Father when He taught them to pray using a model prayer: “Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed be Thy name.” I also pray to the Father and “in Jesus name,” because there is “one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus.” We are in the family of God through faith in Christ Jesus. So I pray to the Father in Jesus name. But this does not guarantee that God will do what I ask in my pray simply because I end it “in Jesus name.” James 4:3 says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” At the last supper Jesus told His disciples that if they asked anything in “His Name,” i.e. consistent with His character, He would do it, “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
a. 1 John 5:14-15: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” [We can only know the will of God that has been revealed to us in His Word.]
b. Hebrews 4:14-15: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
c. Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Footnote:
1. The Gospel of John – Logos 21 Version (Living Water), note on John 14:15

Gospel of John – Lesson 28, 14:25-15:8
Introduction

Last week in the Gospel of John we continued with Jesus and His eleven believing disciples having supper the night before He was crucified. Jesus told His disciples that if they asked anything in “His Name,” i.e. consistent with His character, He would do it, “so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We also considered other passages in the New Testament on prayer. James 4:3 says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” From 1 John 5:14-15 we understand, “If we ask anything according to His will … we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” The author of Hebrews in chapter 4, verse 16, writes: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Last week we saw that those who become Christ’s friends are those believers who do what He says because they love Him. Jesus reveals Himself to His friends. His friends are people that do what He says.

Pick up the Story in the Upper Room at John 14:22

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. 29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

John 15
The True Vine
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away ["props up" - Logos 21 Version]; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Summary

The Holy Spirit will cause the disciples to remember all the things that Jesus told them. The Holy Spirit will also teach them.

Jesus illustrates the relationship between Himself and believers (branches) by means of a grape vine. In the illustration His Father is the vinedresser. Every branch which does not produce fruit the Father lifts up to keep it from trailing on the ground. Every branch producing fruit the Father prunes so it will produce more fruit. The goal is to increase fruit production. We cannot bear fruit unless we abide in Christ. When we disobey Him we are not abiding in Christ; our fellowship with Him is broken by disobedience. In the upper room Jesus commanded the disciples to love one another.

Application (“In which category are you?”)

Divide the world into four categories of people. I have spent much time in category 2.

BELIEVERS * * * * * * * * # DISCIPLES
a. Justified before God * * * # a. Justified before men
b. Children of God * * * * ** # b. Followers of Christ
c. Possessors of Eternal Life #
########################################
1. YES * * * * * * * * * * * ** # YES
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # * Bear Much Fruit
########################################
2. YES * * * * * * * * * * * ** # NO
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # The cares of the world
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # and the deceitfulness of
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # riches choke the word,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # and he becomes Unfruitful. ########################################
3. NO * * * * * * * * * * * * * # YES
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # · Judas Iscariot, one of the
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # “twelve,” appeared to be a
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # believer, but he was not.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # · The other disciples could
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # not distinguish Judas from
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * # themselves.
########################################
4. NO * * * * * * * * * * * * * # NO
########################################

If you are in catagory 1 (YES-YES), then you are a believer in Jesus Christ and a disciple of Christ and you will have an abundant life in time and rewards in heaven.

Gospel of John – Lesson 29, 15:9-25
Introduction

Last week in the Gospel of John we continued with Jesus and His eleven believing disciples in the upper room having supper the night before He was crucified. Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, is the one who will teach you all things and remind you of all the things I have told you.” The Holy Spirit guided the Apostles and others to write the 27 books in the New Testament. Jesus was about to go through death voluntarily and in obedience to His Father. Jesus and His eleven disciples left the upper room and moved toward the Garden of Gethsemane.

On the way to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus illustrated the relationship between Himself and believers by means of a grapevine. In the illustration His Father is the vinedresser, Jesus is the grapevine, and believers are branches. Jesus is the true vine. Believers are branches in the vine, i.e. believers are in Christ. Every branch which does not produce fruit the Father lifts up to keep it from trailing on the ground. Every branch producing fruit the Father prunes so it will produce more fruit. The goal is to increase fruit production. Believers in Jesus Christ who are also disciples of Christ bear much fruit. Jesus defines fruit in terms of love for one another, 13:35. The fruit of “love for one another” will convince the world that we are Christ’s disciples, 15:8.

Continuing the Story at John 15:9 on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane

Love and Joy Perfected
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
[This is the clearest and simplest expression of both the terms for friendship and the definition of this special relationship with Jesus Christ. The terms for becoming Jesus’ friend are very clear. Faith in Jesus brings eternal life (John 6:47), but only those believers who obey His commands will experience a close personal relationship with the Son of God (15:14). The definition of friendship with the Son of God is: A relationship in which the Lord fully discloses His thoughts (15:15-17). This means He helps us to understand His Word, the Bible. [1]]

The World’s Hatred
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 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 keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

Application

We receive the gift of eternal life when we believe in Jesus Christ. But friendship with Christ is not a free gift; it is conditional (15:14).
1. John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." The first time we hear this verse we may or may not be convinced that it is true. I had heard John 3:16 many times before I believed it. I needed to know more about who was offering me eternal life. I had been convinced as a child that someone created the stars in the sky. My question about Jesus was “How was He related to the Creator?” I knew Jesus died on a cross. When I was convinced that He was resurrected from the dead and returned to heaven, then I realized that He had the power to give me eternal life. In September 1963 a the Billy Graham Crusade in the Los Angeles Coliseum I believed in Jesus Christ and His message that He gives eternal life to anyone who believes in Him.
2. But friendship with Jesus Christ is not a free gift; it’s conditional. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” The definition of friendship with the Son of God is: A relationship in which the Lord fully discloses His thoughts. This means He helps us to understand His word, the Bible. This friendship is conditioned on doing whatever Jesus commands us. In the context of His discourse to His disciples He has emphasized His command “to love one another.”

Footnote:
1. The Gospel of John – Logos 21 Version (Living Water), note on John 15:14-17

Gospel of John – Lesson 30, 15:26-16:15
Introduction

Last week we were in the Gospel of John, 15:9-25. Jesus and His eleven believing disciples were on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was crucified. Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. … I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.” Then He said, “These things I command you: that you love one another.” Jesus also said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. On the contrary, they will do all these things to you for My Name’s sake, because they don’t know the One who sent Me.” The Father in heaven is the One who sent Jesus! Then Jesus said, “But now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this is so that the statement written in their law might be fulfilled: ‘They hated me for no reason.’”

Continuing the Story at John 15:26

The Coming Rejection
26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

John 16
1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit
5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Application

The mission of the Holy Spirit is to testify of Jesus. He will bear witness of Jesus as Jesus bore witness of the Father. The witness is to be a dual witness. As believers speak the words of truth from the Bible, the Holy Spirit brings inner conviction to unbelievers concerning Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit came to indwell believers on the Day of Pentecost, which is 10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven and 50 days after His resurrection. The Holy Spirit is in the World to convict the world – make people acutely aware, like a prosecuting attorney. He convicts the world of sin and righteousness and judgment:
1) of sin – singular, not “sins,” plural, like lying, stealing, or murder – but He convicts the world of sin, “because” they don’t believe in Jesus Christ;
2) of righteousness, “because” Jesus is going away to His father [in witnessing we should include the resurrection and ascension of Christ];
3) of judgment, “because” the ruler of this world [Satan] has been judged [Satan’s judgment will be completed when he is cast into the lake of fire, Revelation 20:10, at the end of the millennium].
These three areas should be in our witness, because the Holy Spirit wants to convict the unbelievers of sin (unbelief in Jesus Christ) and righteousness (Jesus is righteous, unbelievers are not – “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” in God’s sight) and judgment (unbelievers share the fate of Satan in the lake of fire).

When a person believes in Jesus Christ, He also believes His message: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Gospel of John – Lesson 31, 16:16-33
Introduction

Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).

Last week we were in the Gospel of John, 15:26-16:15. Jesus and His eleven believing disciples were on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was crucified. Jesus told His Disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit to them and that the Holy Spirit and the Disciples would testify concerning Jesus. When the Holy Spirit comes He will convict the world of sin and righteousness and judgment:
1) of sin “because” they don’t believe in Jesus Christ;
2) of righteousness, “because” Jesus is going away to His Father;
3) of judgment, “because” the ruler of this world [Satan] has been judged.
The Holy Spirit will guide the disciples into all truth. He will also reveal future things to them. The Holy Spirit will glorify the Son, not Himself, by revealing the things of Jesus (His person and works) to the disciples.

Continuing the Story at John 16:16 on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane

Sorrow Will Turn to Joy
16 “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.” 17 Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18 They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is saying.” 19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
[The disciples will be sad when Jesus is taken away from them and put on the cross, where He dies. But on the third day they will see him alive again and be joyful. They will have that joy with them for the rest of their lives.]
23 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Jesus Christ Has Overcome the World
25 “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. 28 I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.” 29 His disciples said to Him, “See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God.” 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Application

The Father loves the Disciples, because [conditional love, personal] the Disciples have loved Jesus [demonstrated in obedience to Him] and they have believed that Jesus came forth from God. But God so loved the world [unconditional love, impersonal] that He gave His uniquely born Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life. Receiving eternal live is conditioned upon a person believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; but God loves every human being unconditionally.

We also have conditional and unconditional love. We should “love our neighbors as ourselves,” whether or not they are good neighbors. This is unconditional love; it does not depend on the actions of the neighbors. We should only do good to them and not harm them. This should apply to anyone we meet. But there are people we have a close relationship with like a friend. We have a close relationship based on mutual respect and admiration. But this relationship can be broken if one of the friends does something very hurtful to the other. So this personal love you have for a friend may be conditioned on the friend’s good thoughts and behavior toward you. Your relationship can be broken. But your unconditional love for your friend should continue.

Gospel of John – Lesson 32, 17:1-5
Introduction

“Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Last week we were in the Gospel of John, 16:16-33. Jesus and His eleven believing disciples were continuing on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane the night before He was crucified. In 16:27 Jesus said to His disciples, “The Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and you have believed that I came forth from God. I came from the Father (His mission) and I have come into the world (His incarnation – God the Son became a man, the virgin birth). Again I am leaving the world (His passion – He bore our sins in His own body on the cross) and going to the Father (His ascension into heaven).” Then in verse 16:32 Jesus said to His disciples, “Listen: The time is coming, and has now come, when you will be scattered each to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation. But take heart! I have conquered the world.”

Continuing the Story at John 17:1, Possibly near the Garden of Gethsemane

Overview: Chapter 17 is our Lord praying to God the Father. 3-point outline:
1. Jesus prays for Himself (1-5).
2. Jesus prays for His disciples (6-19).
3. Jesus prays for all believers (20-26).

John 17
Jesus Prays for Himself
1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Comments on John 17:1-5
1.0 Jesus Christ on the cross brings glory to Himself, because of His sacrifice as a substitute for every human being who has sinned against God. And “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
1.1 The Son also glorifies the Father, because the Father gave His Son [John 3:16] to bare the sins of everyone while He was on the cross, paying the just penalty for sin, which is separation from God. While on the cross Jesus said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Did Jesus know why? [2 Cor. 5:21, “For He (God the Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”] At the end of His separation and suffering, Jesus said, “It is finished (John 19:30). Father, into your Hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46).
2.0 The Son of God gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. Those who believe in the Son are those whom the Father has given to the Son [election].
3.0 Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and the One whom You have sent – Jesus Christ.” Eternal life consists of a growing knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom the Father has sent. Eternal Life is a quality of life that only comes from God. It is not simply existing forever.
5.0 Jesus said, “And now, Father, glorify Me at Your side with the glory which I had at Your side before the world existed.” Remember, Jesus created the world [John 1:1-3]. This glory refers to God’s majestic splendor and honor. Jesus wants to receive again that same splendor and honor which He shared with the Father in the past.

Applications

1. Jesus glorified His Father in heaven. He wants us to glorify God the Father also. He said this to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:16), “Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
2. How do we get to know God? Fill our thinking with what the Bible says about God. Read the Bible regularly. Especially study the person and work of Jesus in the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Then we must obey the Word. As we know Him and act on that knowledge, we will experience His life in this life. We will experience eternal life. We who are believers in Jesus Christ possess eternal life. But we can also experience it here and now by knowing God and obeying Him.

Gospel of John – Lesson 33, 17:6-19
Introduction

Last week we were in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, where Jesus was praying to the Father in the presence of His eleven believing disciples. This occurred the night before Jesus was crucified. In the first five verses of chapter 17 Jesus prayed for Himself. He finished this section of His prayer by saying, “Father, glorify Me at Your side with the glory which I had at Your side before the world existed.”

In the next section of His prayer, which we are reading tonight, Jesus turns His attention to the needs of His disciples as He prepares to depart their company and return to the Father. In this prayer He focuses on their relationship with the hostile world, and so prays for the Father to guard them from Satan and to sanctify them [set them apart] in His word while they remain in the world. [1]

Continuing the story at John 17:6

Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. 9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Summary Highlights

Jesus asked the Father to protect the eleven disciples from Satan’s schemes to cause disunity among them. Jesus said, “That they may be one as we are one.” This is oneness of love, purpose, holiness, and truth.1 Jesus also asked the Father to sanctify the eleven disciples – set them apart for holiness and service. This was accomplished day by day by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world, Jesus also sent the disciples into the world.

Application

And now we who are believers in Jesus Christ should also be disciples of Christ and followers of Christ. We should not isolate ourselves from the world, but our desire should be to use Christ’s word and the Holy Spirit’s power to serve Jesus Christ. Yet at the same time, we should not become like the world; we should not give in to the evil influences of the world (John 17:14-16). We should be ambassadors for Christ and encourage others to “be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Let us accurately represent Jesus Christ to the world! (John 17:18)

Footnote:
1. Gary Derickson and Earl Radmacher, The Disciplemaker, 2001, pages 269, 279, and 287

Gospel of John – Lesson 34, 17:20-26
Introduction

Last week we were in the Gospel of John, chapter 17, where Jesus was praying for His eleven believing disciples. This occurred the night before Jesus was crucified. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them [eleven disciples] by Your truth; Your word is truth.” Jesus prayed to the Father to sanctify, that is to set apart for service, His disciples. Jesus continued His prayer saying, “Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” He set Himself apart to go to the cross, to die for our sins, and then to take His place at God’s right hand in heaven. As we become occupied with Him through knowing His word, we become more like Him.

In the next section of His prayer, which we are reading tonight, Jesus turns His attention to those who will believe in Him through the message from the eleven disciples. This prayer is for all believers of all time – including you and me. If you have believed in Him, Jesus’ prayer is that His Father would lead you into a deeper knowledge of His love (verse 26). [1]

Continuing the story at John 17:20:

Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Summary

In Jesus’ prayer for believers of all time – including you and me – He prayed for several things:
1. unity among believers that in God the Father and the Son we may be one so that the world may believe that the Father sent Jesus
2. that they may be made perfect [mature and complete] in one
3. that the world may know that the Father loves believers as He loves Jesus
4. that they may be with Jesus, that they may see His glory [a prayer for the future glorification of believers]
5. that believers may be led to a deeper knowledge of His love (verse 26)

Application

We are one in Christ. We share the same divine life – eternal life. We don’t always act as though we are one, but we are members of His blessed family through faith in Christ Jesus. Jesus desires us to live in the unity of family that the world may believe. When people of the world see that we love one another they are impressed with the reality of our faith in Jesus Christ. When they see us quarreling, it gives them a reason to question the reality of our faith in Christ.

Footnote:
1. Absolutely Free Incorporated, Living Water, Copyright 1996, note on John 17:20

Gospel of John – Lesson 35, 18:1
Introduction

Last week we came to the end chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, where Jesus was praying for all people who would believe in Him through the message of His eleven disciples. This occurred the night before Jesus was crucified, when He stopped with His disciples on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed for all believers:
1. that they all may be one as the Father and Son are one [Unity among believers]
a. in order that the world may believe that the Father sent the Son and
b. that believers may be made mature and complete;
2. also He prayed that they may be with Him
a. in order that they may see His glory [in heaven and then ruling on earth].
Jesus concluded His prayer in 17:25-26: “Righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Jesus desires that we may experience God’s love and that we may be characterized by His love. This reminds me of the command that Jesus gave His disciples earlier that evening (John 13:34-35): He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Continuing the story at John 18:1

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. [The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke cover Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, John does not.]

The Prayer in the Garden (Matthew 26:36-46)
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [James and John; John is the author of the Gospel of John], and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 45 Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

What was that Cup[1] which He dreaded? [Ref: A. C. Gaebelein, The Gospel of Matthew, An Exposition]

What was that sorrow unto death? He had no fear of an unwilling death: Jesus had said (John 10:17-18), “I lay down my life … No one takes it from Me.” So what was that sorrow unto death, the cup which He dreaded? It was that He the Holy One who is the image of God, was soon to be made sin and to stand in the presence of God, no longer as the Beloved One, but as the substitute for sinners. God’s face upon which He had always gazed, which had always smiled upon Him was soon to be hid. That eternal love He enjoyed was to be no longer upon Him, but in its place judgment and wrath of God. And what was it when at last He was made sin for us? That awful cry from the cross gives us the answer, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” [Matthew 27:46] But what did that cry mean for that Holy One? Shall we ever know the awful suffering the Holy One, made sin for us, had to pass through, when He cried, “Why have You forsaken Me?” From this His holy soul shrank. His holiness and perfection even made this shrinking necessary. He could do nothing else but shrink from it, and yet He bows in perfect submission and obedience to the Father’s will. “Not My will but Thy will be done.” This was before Him in that dark night of agony and sorrow. And here we would rest. But all praise and adoration to You our Savior and Lord for all Your agony and sorrow and for Your obedience unto the death of the cross!

Application

1. The penalty for our sins has been paid. The sin barrier between God and man has been removed. The way to God has been made clear through Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus Christ and you have eternal life now and forever.
2. The night before Jesus went to the cross He prayed to His Father. Ending His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane He said, “not My will, but Your will be done.” We would do well not to pray for things to consume or for selfish ambitions, but to pray that the Father work His will in our lives, even as Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Footnote Note:
1. The cup is a figure of speech for wrath in the Old Testament: (Isaiah 51:17) “Awake, awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem, You who have drunk at the hand of the LORD The cup of His fury; You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, And drained it out.”

Gospel of John – Lesson 36, 18:2-14
Introduction

Last week we were in John 18:1, where Jesus and His eleven disciples entered the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus was crucified. John did not record the fact that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. But Matthew, Mark, and Luke did. I read Matthew 26:36-46. Jesus fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” What was that cup which He dreaded? What was that sorrow unto death? It was that He the Holy One who is the image of God, was soon to be made sin for us and to stand in the presence of God, no longer as the Beloved One, but as the substitute for sinners. God’s face upon which He had always gazed, which had always smiled upon Him was soon to be hid. That eternal love He enjoyed was to be no longer upon Him, but in its place judgment and wrath of God. The next day on the cross Jesus would drink that cup of the wrath of God as the substitute for each one of us, paying the penalty for all of our sins.

Continuing the story at John 18:2

2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. [A “detachment” was a Roman cohort of about six hundred men. However, sometimes this Greek word was used for one-third of a cohort.] 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9 that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” [Jesus touched the ear of Malchus and healed him, Luke 22:51.]

Before the High Priest
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
[Annas was high priest from A.D. 7 to 14. He was deposed by the Romans. Then Caiaphas was appointed to high priest and served from A.D. 18 to 37.]

Summary

Jesus, and not His captors, was in complete charge of the situation. His display of power over His enemies [when they fell to the ground after Jesus said, “I am He”] shows that His death is voluntary and not forced upon Him.

Application from Peter’s Action

Peter’s attempt to protect Christ with a sword is an example of human activity which seeks to strike out in God’s defense, but is insensitive to God’s plan and purposes. Peter’s zeal for Christ was not conditioned by knowledge, which was the outcome of his failure in the preceding hours to observe Christ’s command “to watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). If Peter had stayed awake in the garden he would have heard Jesus say, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39). Peter was courageous but ignorant. Later he would not even be courageous, for he would deny Christ before a servant. Peter failed. And so shall we if our zeal is not based upon the knowledge which Christ gives. We have the mind of Christ [1 Corinthians 2:16, John 15:15] in the Bible. Let’s use it to avoid acting against Christ’s purposes.

Gospel of John – Lesson 37, 18:15-27
Introduction

Last week we were in John 18:2-14. Jesus and His disciples were in the Garden of Gethsemane, when Judas took a detachment of Roman soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and Pharisees. They came with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus, knowing He was about to be arrested, could have escaped, but He didn’t. Jesus, and not His captors, was in complete charge of the situation. Jesus said, “Who is it you are looking for?” “Jesus the Nazarene,” they said. “I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you are looking for Me, let these men go.” Then Peter drew a sword, struck the high priest’s servant, Malchus, and cut off his right ear. So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath! Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” Jesus touched the ear of Malchus and healed him. Then the detachment of Roman soldiers and Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. They first led Him away to Annas, who had been high priest from A.D. 7 to 14.

Continuing the story at John 18:15

Peter Denies Jesus
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

Jesus Questioned by the High Priest
19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” 22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?” 24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Twice More
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not!” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

Application

Peter’s failure should be a warning for us. Earlier that evening in the upper room Peter had said to Jesus [John 13:37-38], “Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You!” Jesus answered Him, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Amen, amen, I tell you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied Me three times.” Our pride and self-sufficiency will not sustain us. Only depending on our Lord and His word will sustain us when we face testing and temptation. Yes, Peter failed several times, but he was still a child of God and a disciple. Jesus, after His resurrection, appeared to Peter and to the other disciples on several occasions. Then Peter no longer denied being one of His disciples. Fifty days after Christ’s resurrection Peter told a large crowd in Jerusalem [Acts 2] about Jesus. About 3000 people became believers in Jesus Christ that day. Sometime later Peter and John were arrested for teaching in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. The next day Peter and John were set before Annas and Caiaphas, to whom Jesus had been taken the night before He was crucified. They threatened them and commanded them “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” So they continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Peter’s failure should be a warning for us, but his faithfulness after his failure should be an encouragement for us. We can confess our sin, turn away from it, and move on with the work that Go has set before us (Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”).

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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