John 13:18-38
Key Verses: 13:34,35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In the previous passage Jesus expressed his love during the Lord’s Supper by washing his disciples’ feet one by one. In today’s passage Jesus reveals two shocking events-the betrayal of Judas Iscariot and the denial of Peter. Though Jesus knew what his disciples would do, he still loved them to the end. The love of Jesus was overwhelming in this Lord’s Supper. After Judas went out, Jesus gave his disciples a new command: “Love one another.” Love gives us a new life. Love is the essence of Jesus’ ministry because love unites us with God and other fellow Christians. Let’s obey Jesus’ new command by loving one another. I pray that we may show the world that we are Jesus’ disciples by loving one another. May God bless our upcoming summer conference as the feast of God’s love.
PART I JESUS PREDICTS JUDAS’ BETRAYAL (18-30)
Look at verse 18. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’” In this verse Jesus revealed that one of his disciples would lift up his heel against him. Verse 18b says, “But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’” Psalm 41:9 says, “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” It was a big surprise that the betrayer was among the close and trusted friends who shared bread with Jesus. Jesus’ betrayer was nor far from him but was very near him. Jesus called his disciples friends in John 15:15. One of Jesus’ close friends sold him to the religious leaders for monetary gain. From a human point of view, it sounds very tragic. But Jesus did not think of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal as betrayal; he thought of his betrayal as fulfilling the scripture. Jesus did not see his betrayal as a human tragedy. He saw his betrayal from God’s eyes and found the spiritual meaning behind it. Jesus thought of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal as the providence of God. How on earth could Jesus admit the providence of God while looking at the betrayer, Judas Iscariot? Most people are fatalistic. One young man received a sports car as a college graduation gift from his mom. But he squashed his newly bought car, bumping against an electric pole in his excitement while riding with his girlfriend. Then he thought it was a sign of his misfortune in the future. He became a very fatalistic person. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not think of betrayal as such a tragic event, but as the providence of God.
In our world the story of betrayal is common everywhere. In the Bible Joseph was sold by his own brothers. King David was betrayed by his own son Absalom. Julius Caesar was betrayed by his own trusted general Brutus. Julius died crying, “Brutus, you too.” But betrayal is the most bitter event to anybody. Most people carry their bitterness to their graves. What did Jesus think about in this critical moment of his life? Let’s read verses 19-20. “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” Jesus concerned about his eleven disciples’ future more than his own impending suffering and trials.
Jesus had to tell his disciples about the betrayal of Judas beforehand, so that when he was betrayed, tried, and crucified, they would not stumble but have faith in God. He told them so that when they saw his betrayal and crucifixion, they would recognize him as the Son of God and also accept God as God who sent him to the world. Of course, Judas’ betrayal would hurt the disciples but they would be shaken by his action. Rather, they should stand firm knowing Jesus as God. When someone leaves our ministry, we must not be shaken but see everything from the scripture and remain faithful to Jesus.
Look at verse 21. “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.’” Jesus was greatly troubled in spirit, but he had to tell the truth to his disciples that one of them would betray him. Then what happened? His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant (22). One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him (23). The man of big mouth, Peter, could not ask Jesus about this matter directly. So he motioned John that he should ask Jesus who was going to betray him. Then John, leaning back against Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” (25) “ In these verses, we learn several spiritual lessons. We see a contrast between Judas the betrayer and John the beloved. We see two possibilities. We can be one of them who is going to betray Jesus or we can be one of them whom Jesus loved.
Look at verses 26-27a. “Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him” It was customary for a host to show special honor or favor to one of his guests by dipping a choice bread in the dish and handing this to him. I had a lunch with Lawson and Anna Glenn yesterday. M. Anna dipped a dumpling in the soy dish and put it into the mouth of Lawson as her expression of her love. It was like a parent would do for a child. Jesus showed that special honor and favor to the disciple whom he knows to be planning treachery. The Last Supper was a picture of the heavenly banquet (Rev. 3:20) Jesus did not exclude Judas from the love feast. Jesus included him in the Last Supper, though he knew what Judas was going to do secretly. Jesus made a personal appeal to him by giving him a piece of bread dipped in a dish. Jesus exposed his sin problem openly and challenged him to repent of his sin of betrayal. It was to lead him to repentance. But Judas’ face went dark and Jesus knew that the appeal failed because he did not repent of his evil plan. At that moment Satan entered into him. When Judas refused to accept Jesus’ love, he allowed Satan to enter into his heart. He became the agent of Satan who nailed Jesus on the cross.
Jesus still really wanted to
spare Judas and save his soul. So he said in verse 27b, “What you are about to
do, do quickly.” It was Jesus’ warning to come back to him and not be devoured
by Satan. What was the other disciples’ response? They had no idea about Judas
Iscariot’s betrayal. So they thought Jesus told him to go to a grocery store
and come back, because he was in charge of the money bag. What was his
response? Look at verse 30. “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.
And it was night.” Judas Iscariot received the bread. Here the bread refers to
the body of Jesus. Matthew 26:26 says, “While they were eating, Jesus took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take
and eat; this is my body.’” Jesus would give his body on the cross to show his
love for all sinners who crucified him. Judas received the love of Jesus but he
went out. This verse teaches us a most significant spiritual lesson about God’s
sovereignty and human responsibility. When God made man, God gave man the
absolute freedom of choice by saying, “You are free to eat from any tree in the
garden.” (Gen. 2:16) God does not coerce; only appeals. On the other hand, man
has an absolute responsibility for his own choice. If a man chooses to serve
God, he has to decide to do so. On the way home from the discipleship seminar
last May, Shannon Smith told me, “I decided to follow Jesus.” He made a
personal choice to follow Jesus not his own sinful desires any longer because
he found the love of God in Jesus. He meant it and it was a serious commitment.
I see the effect of his choice these days. He gives himself fully to the work
of God. Jesus is God. So he gave Judas the chance to make a choice.
But Judas, who was poisoned by the devil, made a wrong choice. He went freely
because Jesus did not cast him out. Jesus did not push him into the grip of
Satan. He went out freely into the night. Of course, we wrestle with the
mystery between his freedom of choice and the role of Judas written in the
scripture. Someone might say, “Judas had no choice because his action was
written in the Bible.” It is clear that God is sovereign but at the same time
he respects our personal decision. It is Judas’ decision to follow Jesus or
not. Don’t blame the Bible or God for your wrong decision. Adam blamed God for
his sin. It was his decision to eat the forbidden fruit. Judas rejected the
love of Jesus, even when the bread of Jesus was in his hand. What happened
then? It was night. Judas moves to the door and opens it; John looks through it
from the lighted room to the darkness outside. When Judas left Jesus, the night
was waiting for him. He left the Prince of light, the Prince of life, and the
Prince of love. He went to the Prince of darkness and death. There are no
better words in the literature than these- “and it was night.” It means that he
crept into the darkness, where there is eternal condemnation. Judas entered
into the darkness of night that led to his own unending shame and guilt. His
betrayal is compressed into two words-Satan and night. Originally Judas was not
a betrayer. He was a disciple of Jesus originally. But he was selfish,
unrepentant, impure, and worldly though he was with Jesus. Slowly he loved the
world more than Jesus. Satan used his unrepentant heart and captured him to be
his instrument. Eventually he sold Jesus and earned a title as the betrayer.
When Judas followed Jesus without making a personal commitment, Satan entered
into him and he became a man of darkness. We should not follow Judas’ example.
We should follow Jesus’ example. We have a choice to live in darkness like
Judas or live in love like Jesus.
PART II. SO YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER (31-35)
This part is the highlight of today’s passage. Jesus began his Farewell address for his remaining disciples after Judas left the room. Look at verses 31-32. “When he was gone, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.” As soon as Judas disappeared into the darkness of night, Jesus spoke about the glorification of the Son of Man. Here the glory of God refers to Jesus’ impending death on the cross. God is love. Jesus would reveal God’s love through his death on the cross. By his death Jesus gives glory to God. The Son of Man wins glory by his obedience unto death. Jesus’ glory means God’s glory. In verse 33 Jesus reveals his departure after his crucifixion. Though Jesus spent time with his disciples more that three years, it was time for him to say good-bye to them. Time was running out. After a little while the disciples will be separated from their loving Shepherd and teacher. They could not follow Jesus to the kingdom of God at this time because they had mission to do. Of course, they would see Jesus later after they completed their mission as the witnesses of Jesus. Now Jesus gives them his last word before his death on the cross. Though children may forget all things their parents ask them to do, they listen to the last word their parents give.
What was the last word Jesus gave his loving disciples? Look at verse 34. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Why did Jesus say “a new command”? Leviticus 19:18 says, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Love is a basic relationship between neighbors. In reality, it was not a new commandment. It was precisely also stated in the Ten Commandments to love God and to love one another. It was not a brand new commandment. Why is this a new command? It is a new command because Jesus showed them a true love. Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus added the phrase “as I have loved you.” Human love is based on self-interest and mutual relationship. It is based on relativistic value of give and take. But Jesus’ love is absolute. It is based on self-sacrifice involving his death on the cross. His love included Judas the betrayer and his enemies who condemned to the cross. Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them because they do not know what they are doing.” He forgave those who crucified him on the cross. He gave his life for them. One young man gave his life to save a man from the incoming train in Japan. His death moved people’s hearts in Japan. One old man gave a rope to a young woman when the Air Florida went down to the Potomac River. We were moved by his courage and sacrifice. Jesus loved all kinds of people sacrificially, unconditionally, and absolutely even though he was God himself. He loved his own to the end even though he knew that his top disciple would deny and all others would abandon him. Jesus became our standard of love. Jesus elevated love to a new level of meaning. Jesus redefined the meaning of love. Jesus established the kingdom of God with his love. Jesus’ kingdom is the kingdom of love. Jesus was the beginning of the new covenant. He gave all his followers a new command to practice his love by saying, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Sometimes it seems that we love one another, but in fact we meditate on many evil things about others more than we love them. That’s fallen human nature. Therefore, Jesus gave them a new commandment. Fallen men cannot love others except themselves. It is impossible to love one another because we are selfish by nature. But Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” This is not a suggestion but a command. How can we obey Jesus’ command? It is only possible when we are in Christ. Jesus will make it possible for us. When we remember how Jesus loved me such a sinner as we were, we can love one another. Christian fellowship must be based on love. To be witnesses of Jesus, the disciples first must love one another among themselves. Love would bind them together when they encountered fierce persecution. Love united them together in times of trials and temptations. John the beloved was a man of hot temper and human ambition. His nickname was the “Sons of Thunder.” He was like a terminator. One time he wanted Jesus to terminate one Samaritan village because they did not welcome Jesus. He could not love his rival Peter because of his competitive human nature. But Jesus’ love melted his hatred like a snow under the sun and he became an apostle of love. He said in 1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” After Jesus’ ascension, he loved Peter more than himself and became Peter’s best partner. Sarah B. received hardship from her family due to her faith and somebody broke her car. Jay Jagun got a car accident. In spite of many hardships they still love Jesus and others. Once I was a selfish man who loved only myself. If I felt that M. Esther Lee did not love me, I became ice-cold. I knew that I was ugly, unforgiving, unloving, critical, impulsive, impatient by nature, but Jesus was forgiving, serving, giving, serving, patient and loving me always. Jesus gave me his life and loved me to the end. Jesus suffered a lot to save me. What did I give to him? I only gave him my burdens, my complaining spirit, my shortcomings, and my demand. I pray that I may give my life for Jesus and love one another as Jesus commanded us to obey. The strength of our ministry has been Jesus’ grace of love. Whenever I look at you, I feel the overwhelming presence of Jesus’ love. Though I was an unlovable person, many coworkers loved me as Jesus loved. That love has power to attract people to our fellowship.
Let’s read verse 35. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The emblem of Jesus’ disciple is love. When we love, the world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples. Love influences people. Jesus commands us to be influential men and women of God so that people will know that we are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here Jesus is talking about our Christian influence. There are many who work hard but have no influence. Someone is known as a man of no influence and a selfish person, though he works hard for Jesus. The man is known as a terrifying character. At the pioneering stage he was the most sacrificial man who did everything for our fellowship—within and without. He worked hard, but he was known as a man of no influence. It is because he did not listen to our Lord Jesus’ supreme command, “Love one another,” and as a result, he could not be a man of influence. We must remember that we cannot be selfish. We must be men and women of influence, as our Lord Jesus Christ was. In Christianity, influence is the most powerful factor.
In order to love one another, we must know how to forgive others. Mark 11:25 says, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” In order to love his wife, a husband must know how to love his wife’s weaknesses and mistakes and embrace her. That’s the meaning of forgiveness. Our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins. He bore all our transgressions and iniquities and hung on a tree to forgive us. Forgiveness is the fountain of the love of God.
PART III. JESUS PREDICTS PETER’S DENIAL (36-38).
Peter wanted to follow Jesus wherever he went. Peter had a strong decision and heart’s desire to be loyal to Jesus to the end. But Jesus indicated that he was leaving them. So Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” (36) Jesus quietly answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” It meant that Peter could not be crucified and rise again like Jesus. But he could go to the kingdom of God after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Then Peter was very upset. Peter could not accept his weaknesses before other disciples. It was unthinkable for Peter to deny Jesus his Lord and Master. He asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you” (37). Peter was willing to die for Jesus. He meant it. But Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times” (38). Jesus was telling him that with human loyalty he could not follow him in his trial and suffering and crucifixion, or in his rising again from death. Jesus was not at all humiliating Peter. Jesus was telling him that human loyalty is not enough to follow Jesus. Jesus knew Peter more than Peter knew himself. Peter’s three denials during the passion week show us that human loyalty has a great limitation (Jn 18:15-27). Luke 22:62 says, “And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Peter remembered Jesus when he failed. He repented of his failure and found Jesus’ love. He was able to come back to Jesus because he accepted Jesus’ love and repented of his sins. The difference between Judas and Peter is that Peter repented and was restored but Judas felt sorry and did not repent. We find Peter in ourselves. We follow Jesus with our human loyalty. We fail many times. But we repent and grow in Jesus. Eventually we must accept Jesus’ cross as the way of God’s love and commit our life to our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people worry about commitment. But nobody can commit himself to another person or even to a church. We can commit ourselves to God only. Then God can use us anywhere, anytime. Let’s obey Jesus’ command, which says, “A new command I give you: Love one another.” Let’s obey Jesus’ command absolutely. May God bless you to practice Jesus’ love in your life. Let’s read the key verse 13:34-35.