Four Announcements

31 March 2013 PM – John 13:21-38 – Scott Childs

Introduction: If you have ever had to talk to someone about an issue that you really did not want to bring up, you can probably imagine what Jesus must have felt like that evening. Being God, He knew all that would take place that night – Judas would betray Him, the disciples would fall asleep in prayer meeting, they would all desert Him out of fear, He would be falsely accused and condemned, and Peter would deny knowing Him.

Transition: With all this on His mind after the evening meal with the disciples, Jesus made four announcements on which we will focus our attention.

I.              One of You Will Betray Me Jn 13:21-30

A.     The revelation (21)

1.      One of the 12 disciples would betray the Lord.

2.      Note the “verily, verily” (very very important statement).

3.      Jesus’ spirit was troubled. Was he troubled at the thought of the cross? Possibly, but perhaps the trouble in his spirit was grief for Judas. He is not wiling that any should perish, yet one of his closest companions for over three years was still an unbeliever and traitor.

It ought to grieve our hearts when people leave our church, especially if they totally turn away from the truth.

B.     The response (22)

1.      The disciples looked at each other in unbelief. Not one of them suspected Judas.

2.      The disciples doubted. They doubted that one of them would do such a thing. They were at a loss to guess which of them would stoop that low. They were perplexed by this announcement.

C.     The request (23-25)

1.      This was such a shock that even Peter kept his mouth shut. Instead, he nodded to John who was next to Jesus to ask who it was.

2.      John often used the term “whom Jesus loved” to describe himself. Did Jesus love John more than he loved the others? I do not think so, but John was likely the youngest and perhaps the closest companion of Jesus.

3.      Remember, the men were reclining around the table or matt on the floor. John was next to Jesus and could simply lean back and whisper his question.

D.     The reply (26-29)

1.      Jesus said it was the one to whom he would give a sop.

a)      A sop was a morsel of unleavened bread and meat that was dipped in a sauce.

b)      The host would sometimes do this and pass a morsel of bread and meat to an honoured guest. Jesus did this to Judas. Amazing love!

2.      After Judas ate the special food, Satan entered into him and Jesus told him to do his deed quickly.

a)      No one else at the table understood what Jesus meant.

b)      They still did not suspect Judas but thought Jesus sent him out to buy something.

c)      Jesus had a sinless attitude towards Judas his enemy.

Once again, from the attitude and actions of Jesus, we can learn how to treat those who oppose us.

E.     The reaction (30)

1.      Judas immediately left.

2.      John points out that it was night.

II.            Now is the Son of Man Glorified Jn 13:31-33

A.     The title

1.      Jesus called himself the “Son of man”. This is the last of its 12 occurrences in the book of John.

2.      Bob Utley points out that the title implies both Christ’s human and divine characteristics.

B.     The fact

1.      Now Christ is glorified and so is the Father. The word means “to honour” or “to praise.” Christ’s atonement for the sins of humanity glorified both Him and the Father. Fourteen verses in the book of John speak of Christ’s glorification. This was an important fact.

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

2.      Jesus completed another phase of his earthly ministry. He inaugurated (commence officially) the crucifixion by sending Judas on his way.

We need to be more concerned about glorifying God than about lifting up ourselves. Remember John the Baptist’s attitude, “He must increase, I must decrease.”

C.     The burden

1.      He called them “little children”. This was a tender loving title.

2.      Jesus was leaving and the disciples could not follow him now. This was a burden on his heart, and he knew it would be a burden on their hearts.

III.           I Give You a New Commandment Jn 13:34-35

A.     The commandment

1.      Jesus gave us an 11^th Commandment. Christians are to love one another.

a)      We are to love each other as Christ loves us.

b)      We are to love as Christ loved Judas.

2.      Love is not permissive or blind. Jesus confronted wrong. It does not ignore sin. Love does what is best for the beloved.

Jesus rebuked his disciples: Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Jesus rebuked Peter’s sin: Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Jesus left his disciples: John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

B.     The testimony

1.      Christian love is a testimony that we follow Christ.

2.      When Christians lack love, they tell the world that they are not walking as a disciple of Christ.

a)      This is true in a church family.

b)      It is also true in a Christian home.

Remember, love is not an emotion, though it may include emotion. Love is not just treating nice people nicely. Love is treating the unkind with kindness. Love is doing unto others as God does unto you. Love is the sacrificial giving of yourself to meet the needs of another expecting nothing in return.

When you treat your spouse or child or parent or fellow-Christian in an unloving way, you are announcing to them and to all who see it that you are not following Christ.

If you have been unloving, love is not the full solution. Confession and seeking their forgiveness (and God’s) followed by true love is the solution.

IV.          Where I Go You Cannot Come Now Jn 13:36-38

A.     Peter’s questions and declaration

1.      Where are you going?

2.      Why cannot I follow you now?

3.      I will lay down my life for you.

This is more like the bold, impulsive Peter that we are used to.

B.     The Lord’s response

1.      Until the rapture, one must die to follow Christ to heaven. It was not God’s time for the disciples to die. They would follow him later.

2.      Christ made another “verily, verily” statement to Peter. Before the rooster crowed in the morning, Peter would deny the Lord three times.

This is a reminder to us that we are often not as strong as we think we are. We need to do more and boast less. We must get our strength from the Lord.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Conclusion: This evening, Christ has shown us the proper attitude to have toward those who oppose us. We must live to glorify God not ourselves. We must love one another so that others will see Christ in us. We must admit our weakness and depend more on Christ for strength.

Song: More Like the Master – 325