John13v18to38: THE TWO PREDICTIONS - THE BEGINNING OF THE END

(A) Introduction. (Read the reference)

This passage marks the end of Christ's public ministry and the beginning of his preparation of the disciples for life without him. He announced his betrayal because he doesn't want them think at a later date that he was caught unawares and outmanoeuvred by Judas. Jesus remained in complete control of events something he reaffirmed again after Peter took a swipe at the high priest's servant: "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

Jesus anticipated the Great Commission when he told his disciples that they would go forth under his authority even as he was under God's authority. "I tell you the truth whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." v20.

(B) The betrayer identified.

(1) Jesus knew who would betray him.
Jesus said: "I know those I have chosen." He knew all his disciples through and through. When Jesus quoted Psalm43v9: He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me; he said that this didn't apply to all the disciples but just the one.

Jesus must have known that Judas was always a risk with his reforming zeal, nationalistic fervour and personal ambition. He was aware when Judas was disappointed and had watched his disaffection grow. Judas was bitterly put out when Jesus put a stop to the crowd's attempt to make him king by force after the feeding of the five thousand. He didn't understand Christ's strategy of offending potential supporters with his discourse on the bread of life. Judas disapproved of Jesus' annointing at Bethany.

Jesus is never surprised when a man or woman falls away from the faith. It is always a process and there are tell tale signs before it happens.

(2) The other disciples had no idea that Judas was the betrayer.
After Jesus made his announcement: His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. v22. Matthew tells us: They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" Mt26v22.

During the commotion Peter beckoned to John possibly with a jerk of the head or gesture of the right hand. They were lying close to one another and Peter wanted a confidential word. So John leaned towards Peter who asked, "Who is it?" (Literally: "Say who it is of about whom he speaks.") This indicates the special relationship that John had with Jesus. Peter thought that Jesus may have confided in John. However, Jesus hadn't. So John now leaned backward toward Jesus and with up turned head asked simply: "Lord, who is it?" This reveals something of the artlessness and openness of John.

Jesus could have replied to John's question by saying, "Judas is the man." But he didn't. Instead he said: "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." I think that the perceptive John realised by this that Jesus did not want the betrayer generally identified at that precise moment. If he had been then Peter and the others might have taken matters into their own hands.

It is possible that Judas was laying on Jesus' left at the head of the table. He was close enough to reach for the sop Jesus handed to him. Perhaps as he took the piece of bread soaked in sauce he asked in a low voice as reported by Matthew: Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus whispered: "Yes it is you." Mt26v25. Jesus then looked at Judas and said, "What you are about to do, do quickly." v27. Jesus tells Judas in effect, "You'd better go at once (while you can and before you are stopped)." He was still in control.

We know that the interplay between John, Jesus and Peter was unobserved or misunderstood by the other disciples because when Judas left they thought he had gone to buy more food for the feast or give money to the poor.

Why didn't the disciples suspect Judas? There are, perhaps, two reasons:

    (a) The disciples shared the enthusiasm of Judas for the Kingdom - the rule from Jerusalem of a great and godly Jewish king. Judas wasn't alone in egging on the crowd after the feeding of the five thousand. There were others who complained at the waste of money when the ointment was poured out at Bethany.

    (b) Judas probably had quite a warm relationship with Jesus. In all probability he liked and admired Jesus. He did not join the others who forsook Jesus after his challenging words about the bread of life. It is significant that Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss and was desperately sorry that his life ended in crucifixion.

It is not invariably those that dislike us who betray us. Many a husband has proved unfaithful and betrayed a wife for whom he has affection. In church life we may be liked by those who conspire against us.

(3) The terrible coincidence of interest.
Both Judas and Satan wanted to put Jesus to the test. They looked to force his hand - to manoeuvre him into a position where he went on to the attack and routed his enemies.

Judas would have been delighted if Jesus had used the 12 legions of angels at his disposal to engage and defeat the forces of Rome. (See Matthew26v53) His allegiance to Jesus was motivated by nationalism and the desire for personal political power, influence and wealth. Satan wanted to scupper the great work of redemption. The evil one knew that the cross would be the supreme test for Jesus. Would Jesus choose to save himself or save us? Once Jesus was on the cross Satan did all in his power to get him to leave it and abandon fallen humanity.

(4) Jesus was deeply troubled.
The fact that Jesus knew how Judas felt and anticipated his betrayal did not stop Jesus being very distressed at the decision of his disciple. Jesus was troubled in spirit. v21. It was like the kick from a horse - "He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me." v18. An experienced farrier will know the horses liable to kick him. The farrier might half expect a kick but that does not make it any less painful when it comes!

Tom Wright uses a telling illustration in 'John for Everyone'. When sheep are taken to the slaughterhouse they know instinctively it is a bad place. The lorry carrying them stops, the gangplank is put down and the sheep refuse to budge.

The slaughterhouse men know what to do. They keep a well-fed sheep on the premises. It is led up a plank into the truck and then walks down again quite happily. The other sheep, seeing one of their own leading the way, will follow. The workmen at the slaughterhouse call this sheep 'Judas'. It co-operates with the enemy to bring death and destruction upon its fellow sheep.

Judas knew Jesus well; he had seen one demonstration after another of Divine power and witnessed how much the Master cared for his people yet he ends up the willing tool of Satan who is the inveterate, implacable and unremitting enemy of mankind. Satan used Judas in a vain attempt to wreck salvation's plan to the eternal loss of Adam's race. The supreme folly of Judas was a kick in the teeth for Jesus.

LESSONS

(1) The church is always threatened by those who put:

    (a) A cause before Christ - the love of reformed doctrine, a way of worship, the authority of the priesthood, the reputation of a denomination, the upkeep of the church fabric and the graveyard or some weird fringe belief dependent upon an idiosyncratic interpretation of prophecy.

    Such people may appear to be Christians but if they put their cause first they end up like Judas betraying the one they purport to serve. This was true of the Judaisers who came down from Jerusalem to Antioch to persuade the Jewish Christians to withdraw from communion with uncircumcised Gentile Christians. Paul opposed them because he knew they were enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (See exposition on Acts 15 v1 to 5.)

    (b) Their own ambition before Christ. If we want our own way in the church before anything else there are inevitably splits and divisions. The fragmentation of the church has mainly been due to men thinking that they are right on some issue and expecting everyone else to agree with them. The innumerable disparate elements within the church are hardly in the will of Jesus who urged his followers to be one as he and the Father were one.

(2) It is possible to resist even the prolonged personal appeals of Jesus and turn away at the last into the darkness. Judas was there with Jesus, he saw him at work, he heard him teach, he experienced the signs and wonders - but was lost. Most of those brought up in the church who refuse Christ now would have rejected him then. There are none so blind as those who will not see!

See also exposition on Judas in Acts1v12to26.

(C) The fourfold glory.

We see something in all its glory when we see it at its very best. I can recall many years ago taking a group of very cheerful sixth formers on a field trip to Dartmoor in Devon. I can still hear those boys singing as they did the washing up in the Youth Hostel! It was as well those lads were so cheerful because for the entirety of our visit Dartmoor was swathed in hill fog and we couldn't see a thing. In the summer I went back alone determined to see what the granite uplands were really like. One morning I stood on Cox tor above Merrivale in bright sunshine, with a north west wind blowing, clouds scudding across the sky and brilliant visibility and finally saw Dartmoor in all its glory.

(1) Jesus was glorified on the cross. He said: "Now is the Son of Man glorified." v31. Jesus spoke like this because the departure of Judas marked the inevitability of his passion. It was the first move in the end game.

It seems likely that Judas had been procrastinating. He didn't want to betray Jesus if he could help it but he would if he had to. When Jesus identified him and showed that he knew what Judas intended the disaffected disciple hardened his heart and Satan had his man. Jesus told him to be quick about it. "What you are about to do, do quickly." v27. Judas needed to make haste because his cover was blown.

The cross glorified Jesus because here we see his perfect submission to God, his self-control, endurance and sacrificial love.

(2) God is glorified in Jesus at the cross (and God is glorified in him) because at Calvary Jesus was obedient unto death thereby showing how much he revered, honoured and trusted his Father. Any son who follows the advice and example of his father honours that father. Pupils who obey their teacher exhibit respect for and faith in him. A teacher may be popular and liked but the teacher who is truly honoured is the one who is freely obeyed.

(3) God will glorify himself in him. This is William Barclay's alternative translation to the NIV's "God will glorify the son in himself." v32. It is much to be preferred because it makes better sense.

The sacrifice of Jesus revealed God the Father's compassion, mercy and grace. Jesus laid down his life upon the cross as an offering for sin that God in his mercy was prepared to accept to redeem fallen men.

(4) God will glorify Jesus - and he will glorify him at once. The Father rewards and honours the Son for the perfect sacrifice he offered. Jesus was raised from the dead, ascended to the right hand of God, ever lives to intercede for his own and will return in glory to judge the world in righteousness. As William Barclay put it - vindication followed humiliation, enthronement followed crucifixion and the crown of glory the crown of thorns.

Lesson

The way for every Christian to glorify Jesus is to be obedient - to do faithfully those things he calls us to do. My father glorified Jesus when he got down on his knees and filled in the rat holes in the foundations of Alice's clay lump cottage. My mother glorified Jesus every time she invited three or four old ladies to a sumptuous tea that she prepared. My brother Paul glorifies Jesus each Wednesday when he cooks a meal for the poorer folk in the neighbourhood of his church. I glorified Jesus when I showed mercy to a church member who had ignored my advice and acted unwisely.

(D) The new commandment: love one another.

(1) The commandment is new because Jesus said: "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The love Jesus has for us is greater than the love we have for ourselves. It is more demanding to love as Jesus loved us than to love our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus was concerned for our redemption and eternal well-being.

(2) Five qualities of redeeming love are illustrated in the passage:

    (a) It is perceptive. Jesus knew Judas and Peter. He was not blind to men's faults. We need perception to see men and women as they are - however polished, glamorous, erudite, successful or powerful - all are lost.

    (b) It is demanding. Jesus corrected his disciples faults. He took Peter to task in a quite uncompromising way: "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the cock crows, you will disown me 3 times" v38. This is a pretty sobering statement!

    When I was a schoolteacher some children reacted to a telling off by saying, "You don't like me, Mr Reed." I used to tell the complainant, "If I stop correcting you when you do wrong then you will know I have stopped caring about you."

    Today we are not good at exercising church discipline. It is because we do not love our fellow Christians enough. Some years ago a girl of whom I was very fond and who attended a chapel near the school in which I taught came to me and said, "Mr H. our church leader told me I was wrong to go out with Luke. Don't you think it's all right if I see Luke." Emily, a new believer, was getting romantically attached to Luke who was any thing but a believer. I was glad to reinforce the advice of her church leader. Eventually Emily married a Christian young man and they both attend that little chapel in which she was converted. A loving elder took Emily aside and corrected her. She took his advice and it saved her from many sorrows.

    (c) It is forbearing. Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to remain loyal. He probably sat on Jesus' right hand at the feast. Jesus washed his feet. Judas was not excluded from fellowship until he finally hardened his heart and became a tool of Satan.

    Jesus was very longsuffering. He bore with the misunderstandings, failings and faults of his disciples. It was not the policy of Jesus to break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flax. (See my exposition on the Bruised Reed.)

    We do need to bear with the weaknesses of our fellow Christians. Just so long as we ourselves are imperfect we must accept the imperfections of others. I can remember my pastor once losing his rag with me. He got very angry without due cause. I am sure that he thought that it was the last he would see of me! Perhaps that was his plan!! But how could someone as volatile and hot-tempered as I hold that intemperate outburst against my pastor? My pupils had forgiven me many, many unseemly tirades.

    (d) It is impartial. Jesus loved all his disciples equally in that he desired the highest good for each of them.

    Someone might object: What about John? - the disciple whom Jesus loved. v23. John must have had a reason for referring to himself as the disciple whom Jesus love. He does it more than once in his gospel. The most likely explanation is that Jesus in his humanity was especially fond of John who was young, frank, candid, enthusiastic and perceptive. We see something of the relationship that existed between Jesus and John in Peter's request and the way John reacted - leaning back on Jesus' breast, looking up into his face and asking artlessly, "Who is it?"

    Jesus may have had special affection for John. Affection is a natural love and we have more of it for some than others. There are those we find loveable in this way and others we don't. It is something we cannot help. However, Jesus was as much concerned for the well being of the other disciples as he was for John. If anything he took more trouble over Peter than he did John. The highest expression of love, agape, is more to do with the will than how we feel.

    During my career as a teacher there were some pupils that I liked more than others. I can remember 'Little Fish', a quick moving dextrous girl, whom I teased and joked with. My other pupils were not resentful so long as she was not granted special favours and I did my best by everyone. My behaviour was acceptable because boys and girls understand the nature of affection.

    We need to care for all in the fellowship. We may smile more warmly and talk with greater animation to those for whom we have affection but when it comes to listening, visiting and practical assistance we should be even handed.

    (e) Its highest priority. Christ's total, all consuming desire was the redemption of his followers. His love was sacrificial. He did not spare himself to ensure the spiritual well being of believers.

    We are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ like he loved us - sacrificially. Recently a couple left our church because they were personally unhappy. Jesus does not expect us to put our personal happiness before the well being of other Christians in the fellowship. In the letter I wrote to the dissatisfied couple, and they had very little to be discontented about, I quoted the words Paul wrote to the Colossians: Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive what grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col3v12.

(3) The best evidence that we love Jesus is that we love one another. We don't show the genuineness of our Christian profession by how right we are, how orthodox our doctrine, obeying a lot of rules and regulations but by loving our brothers as Jesus loved his disciples. We must especially remember that a key ingredient of Jesus' love was forbearance.

There are some good things in William Hendrikson's commentary on John including this poem:

            "How can you lead to Christ your boy
            Unless Christ's method you employ?
            There's just one thing that you can do -
            It's let that boy see Christ in you.

            Have you a husband fond and true?
            A wife who's blind to all but you?
            If each would win the other one,
            That life must speak of God's dear Son.

            There is but one successful plan
            By which to win a fellow man;
            Have you a neighbour old or new?
            Just let that man see Christ in you.

            The Church that hopes to win the lost
            Must pay the one unchanging cost;
            She must compel the world to see
            In her the Christ of Calvary."

(E) Peter's presumption.

(1) Peter wanted to impress Jesus with his fidelity.
He said with impressive assurance: "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." v37. Peter was even prepared to say that if everyone else deserted Jesus he would not. See Mt26v33.

Peter wanted to die for Jesus. He didn't realise that first Jesus must die for him.

We cannot serve God until we understand and depend upon what Jesus has done for us.

(2) Peter didn't know his own weakness.
He was self-reliant and self-confident. Jesus said to him: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you (all of you) as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." Lk22v31. Satan was going to shake the disciples up and sort them out. Jesus draws an analogy with the miller who sifts the grain to remove the small, unwanted seeds from the wheat. The evil one was going to put the disciples to the test and show what they were made of. In extremity all would forsake Jesus and flee. Jesus is aware that his disciples faith in him will be very sorely tried - none more so than the Peter's. So Jesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail.

The best of men do not know their own strength until it is tested by temptation. We do well to ponder the words of Paul: So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall. 1Cor10v12. The prayer I have frequently offered to God with greatest sincerity through the years has been: 'Lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil.'

(3) Peter knew better than Jesus.
He received 2 warning from Jesus (see Mk14v27to30) but he still said passionately: "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." (And all the others said the same.) Mk14v31.

We do not know better than Jesus. He knows what he is talking about. When Jesus tells us not to be afraid, that God will take care of us, that the best place to have riches is in heaven, that we should forgive to the extent of turning the other cheek we need to believe him.

(4) Peter's saving grace.
Peter was undoubtedly devoted to Jesus and expressed his heartfelt feelings in his usual impulsive, emotional fashion. The cross found out his weakness - and the weaknesses of the other disciples too.

Peter did not fully grasp the huge difference in status that separated him from Jesus. His commitment to Jesus was not of the same order as Jesus' commitment to him. Peter was a sinner needing salvation; Jesus was the Saviour. I think it is hard for even the most seasoned Christian to comprehend how great Jesus is.

Although Peter's desire to be well thought of - his habitual weakness - was exposed in the aftermath of Christ's arrest Peter's faith held - it never failed. In the end he was able honour his word: "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and death." Judas left the presence of Jesus for the eternal night but Peter departed this life for the eternal presence.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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