Peace and Victory through Jesus’ Redemption
John 16:16–33 (NKJV)
The Prediction of Christ’s Death and Resurrection
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.
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.
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.”
Message
I. The Restoration of Relationship with God through the Redemption of Jesus (16-30)
See v16.
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.”
After the Crucifixion, Jesus died and was buried in a tomb. During this time, no one could see Him. But Jesus was raised back to life in three days. Jesus called these three days ‘a little while’. After the Resurrection, they could see Him again. Jesus was seen for 40 days and then He ascended into Heaven. Jesus called these 40 days ‘a little while’.
Jesus knew the future events of His Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Later His disciples were convinced that Jesus knew all things and had no need that anyone should question Him. By this, they believed that Jesus came forth from God (30). See v17-18.
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.”
The disciples of Jesus didn’t understand what Jesus said in v16. Why did they not understand? Jesus has been telling them that a little while later He was going to the Father (John 7:33, 13:33). But Jesus hasn’t told them yet that He would be seen in the world between the Resurrection and the Ascension. See v19-22.
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.
Now Jesus foretells them about their sorrow after His Crucifixion and their joy after His Resurrection. Jesus uses the metaphor of a woman in labour, who forgets the anguish after giving birth to the child for joy that a human being has been born. And no one can take their joy from them.
Jesus shows that obedience to the will of the Father results in God’s blessing and reward (a newborn baby in His metaphor) and the initial sorrow is like a woman’s labour pain before her joy of having a newborn baby.
See v23-24.
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.
After the events, they can pray to the Father directly in the name of Jesus. This shows Jesus opened the way to God through His Redemption.
See v25-28.
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.”
When they pray in His name, the Father receives their prayer directly from them. It is because the Father accepts and loves them as His children. The fact they receive this amazing blessing of sonship shows Jesus came forth from the Father and has come into the world (28) and Jesus leaves the world and goes to the Father (29).
See v29-30.
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.”
Jesus spoke figuratively in v16. But He spoke plainly in v17-28, which contains the amazing promise – the Restoration of Relationship with God through the Redemption of Jesus. This helped their faith.
II. I have overcome the world (31-33)
See v31-33.
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.”
Their faith has been strengthened (31). But they will be scattered and leave Jesus alone. This shows they are still little children in spirit while Jesus is a warrior in spirit. Even though they will leave Jesus alone, Jesus is not alone, because the Father is with Jesus (32). Jesus said all these things so that they might have peace in Him. In the world, they will have trials and sorrows. But they should take heart because Jesus has overcome the world (33).
Jesus would be arrested and face trial. He would be crucified, die and be buried. They might be shaken or fail to follow Him. But they might have peace and take heart in Jesus. Jesus knew He would be successful in the Redemption of humanity - He would sacrifice on the cross for our sins and God would raise Him back to life. He said the future in the past perfect tense: “I have overcome the world.” Amen.
The Role of the Holy Spirit and Persecution Foretold
John 15:26–16:15 (NKJV)
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
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.
16 “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.
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.
Message
I. Two Additional Witnesses of Jesus (26-27)
See v26-27.
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.
There are five witnesses of Jesus as we learned in Section II of The Testimony of Jesus Is Always True. They are
- Jesus (John 5:31, see John 8:14-18)
- Baptist John (John 5:33-35)
- The works that the Father has given Jesus to finish (John 5:36)
- The Father (John 5:37-38)
- The Scriptures (John 5:39)
We find two more witnesses in v26. They are
- Holy Spirit (=the Helper, the Spirit of truth) (26)
- The Disciples of Jesus (27)
Jesus promised them to send the Helper, the Spirit of truth (=Holy Spirit) in v26 and also in John 14:16-17 NKJV, John 14:26 NKJV. Jesus tells them more about the Holy Spirit in John 16:7-15 NKJV.
II. Persecution Foretold (1-5)
See v1
1 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
These things I have spoken to you (1) may be John 15:18-25 (The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause) and Section I (26-27). However, everything Jesus said after the Last Supper (John 13 ~ 15) may help them not be made to stumble:
- John 13:1-17 (Humility and Servanthood of Jesus)
- John 13:18-30 (Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Highlights Representation)
- John 13:31-38 (Jesus’ Glorification, the New Commandment, and Peter’s Denial Foretold)
- John 14:1-11 (Jesus’ Assurance of Paradise, the Only Way to the Father, and His Unity with the Father)
- John 14:12-31 (Jesus’ Promise of Greater Works, His Manifestation, and the Gift of Peace)
- John 15:1-8 (Pruning of the Vinedresser, The Father and Abiding In The True Vine, Jesus)
- John 15:9-17 (Abide in Christ’s Love and Love One Another: A Call to Friendship and Obedience)
- John 15:18-25 (The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause)
- John 15:26-27 (Section I of this message)
See v2.
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.
Jesus mentioned about persecution in John 15:18-25. The persecution may result in their martyrdom (2). So, Jesus prepared them by telling them as written between John 13 and 15 that they should not be made to stumble (1). See v3.
3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
Jesus has already said that they would persecute the believers because they did not know Him who sent Jesus (John 15:21). See Section I (John 15:18-21) of The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause (John 15:18-25) for more details. See v4a.
4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.
The prophets in the Old Testament could foretell the future because they received the messages from God. Whether a future event foretold by a prophet comes to pass or not is how to distinguish whether the Lord has spoken it, or the prophet has spoken it presumptuously (Deuteronomy 18:20-22 NLT). When what Jesus said is fulfilled, the disciples of Jesus can know what Jesus said is from God, the Father and strengthen their faith in Jesus. See v4b.
“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
Jesus tells them why He didn’t tell them earlier. It was because Jesus was with them. So, it was too early to tell them what would happen after He left. But Jesus knew it all from the beginning.
III. The Helper (5-15)
See v5.
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.
This question of “Where are You going?” was raised when Jesus said, “Where I am going, you cannot come” in John 13:33. This question was asked by Peter in John 13:36 and by Thomas in John 14:5. Jesus answered Peter in John 13:36-38 and Thomas in John 14:6-7. When Jesus answered Thomas, Jesus said He was going to the Father and Jesus was the only way to the Father (John 14:6). So, they didn't have this question in their mind, but sorrow filled their heart. See v7.
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.
Jesus tells them that it is for their good that He goes away. It is because the Helper (the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit) will not come to them unless Jesus does go away. But if He departs, He will send the Helper to them. See v8-11.
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.
When the Helper has come, He will convict the world
- of sin because they do not believe in Jesus. If they admit their sins and believe in Jesus, their sins are forgiven. The greatest sin is not believing in Jesus.
- of righteousness because Jesus goes to the Father and they see Him no more. The righteous deeds of the ungodly are nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The world should put down their self-righteousness and accept the righteousness of God, Jesus.
- of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.
The above things have been happening in the world because the Helper has come. See v12-13.
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.
The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth because He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He speaks (13a). This is how Jesus spoke (John 12:49, see John 5:30). The Spirit of truth is the representative of Jesus (John 14:26 NLT). Just as Jesus foretold the future, the Helper also will tell things to come (13b). See v14.
14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
V14 is similar to what Jesus has already said in John 14:26 NKJV. The Helper, whom the Father will send in the name of Jesus, will teach them all things and remind them of all things Jesus said to them (John 14:26 NKJV).
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
When Jesus said, “He will take of what is Mine”, ‘Mine’ includes all things that the Father has.
The True Believers Hated By The World Without A Cause
John 15:18–25 (NKJV)
The Relationship of Believers to the World
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.’
Message
I. Those who belong to the Lord are hated by those who belong to the world (18-21)
See v18-19.
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.
There is enmity (or hostility) between evil and Good.
See Genesis 3:15 NKJV.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
God put this enmity between them as the penalty of sin.
Isaiah 66:5 NLT shows enmity between two groups within one religious nation.
5 Hear this message from the Lord, all you who tremble at his words:
“Your own people hate you and throw you out for being loyal to my name.
‘Let the Lord be honored!’ they scoff. ‘Be joyful in him!’ But they will be put to shame.
Isaiah 66:5 NLT is the Lord’s message to ‘all who tremble at His words’. ‘Your own people’ are the Jews. This verse contrasts between ‘you’ (all who tremble at His words) and ‘the Jews’. ‘The Jews’ hate ‘you’ and throw ‘you’ out for ‘being loyal to His name’. So ‘those trembling at His words’ are ‘those loyal to His name’ and distinguished from ‘other Jews’. These ‘other Jews’ hate and are hostile against those who tremble at His words and are loyal to His name.
Their hostility shows they belong not to the Lord but to the world. Jeremiah 5:10 NLT makes this point clear.
10 “Go down the rows of the vineyards and destroy the grapevines,
leaving a scattered few alive.
Strip the branches from the vines,
for these people do not belong to the Lord.
This verse says, “These people do not belong to the Lord.” even though they have been branches attached to the vines.
Those who stand on the side of evil, don’t tremble at His words and are not loyal to His name belong to the world (19). They hate you who belong not to the world but to the Lord (18, 19). They hate you because they hate the Lord (18).
See v20-21.
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.
If they persecuted Jesus, our master, they will also persecute us, His servant (20a). Jesus made it clear that they would persecute us. They will do so because of Jesus because they know neither the Father (21) nor Jesus (John 16:3).
II. Hatred without a cause (22-25)
See v22-25.
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.’
Invisible God came to them in visible and tangible flesh as Jesus (22a). Jesus is a witness for Himself, one of five witnesses of Jesus (John 8:14-18, See Section II at https://www.comnc.org/the-testimony-of-jesus-is-always-true). He spoke the messages from God to them (22b), which is also the Work of God He performed. He taught what no one else could. For example, only Jesus interpreted Jeremiah 4:3 NLT.
3 This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and Jerusalem:
“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts!
Do not waste your good seed among thorns.
Without Jesus, no one could explain what this verse meant. But He interpreted it in Matthew 13:22-23 NLT.
22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. 23 The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Jesus performed numerous signs and wonders that no one else did (24). The works of God are one of five witnesses of Jesus (John 5:36, See Section II at https://www.comnc.org/the-testimony-of-jesus-is-always-true).
Their response to His proofs was hatred toward both Him and His Father without a cause (25). This was the fulfilment of Psalm 35:19, 69:4 NIV.
Psalm 35:19 (NIV 2011)
19 Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
Psalm 69:4 (NIV 2011)
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV tells us what to do when facing persecution.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The apostles of Jesus rejoiced when persecuted in Acts 5:41 NKJV.
41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
On the other hand, Luke 6:26 NKJV warns the following.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Abide in Christ’s Love and Love One Another: A Call to Friendship and Obedience
John 15:9–17 (NKJV)
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.
The Relationship of Believers to Each Other
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.
Message
I. Abide In My Love (9-11)
See v9.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
In John 15:5, 7, Jesus asks His disciples to abide in Him. Today, Jesus asks His disciples to abide in His love (9c). And He teaches how. See v10.
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.
Jesus loves us (9b). We can remain in His love by keeping His commandments (10a). See v11.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
When we keep His commandments, He will be pleased with our obedience and take delight in us with gladness. When Jesus loves us and rejoice over us, our joy will be full.
II. Love One Another (12-17)
See v12.
12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jesus gives His disciples His commandment that they love one another as He has loved them. Here, we note that His disciples should follow the model of His love (12b) when they love one another. See v13.
13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Jesus says there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends. This is what Jesus did for us. Therefore, loving one another in v12 includes such a sacrificial love Jesus shows them. See v14-15.
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.
Jesus considers His disciples His friends if they do whatever He commands them. What He commands is from the Father (15, John 12:49-50, John 14:24). When Jesus shares the divine revelations including His commandment to love one another, we should know that
- His word including His commandment is from His Father. When they obey His command, they obey not only Jesus but also His Father.
- He is treating them not as servants who don’t know what their master is doing but as His friends.
See v16.
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.
Jesus chose us and appointed us to bear lasting fruit so that the Father may give us whatever we ask Him in Jesus’ name (16) and commands us to love one another (17). Therefore, Jesus is our master.
However, we are not asked to obey blindly as slaves (15a). Instead, He reveals to us the divine will and heavenly plan of God. Therefore, we obey Him as His friends who know what our master is doing (15b).
Pruning of the Vinedresser, The Father and Abiding In The True Vine, Jesus
John 15:1–8 (NKJV)
The Relationship of Believers to Christ
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; 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.
Message
Jesus said the Seven (7) “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John. They are
- I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48)
- I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5)
- I AM the Gate (John 10:7)
- I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14)
- I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
- I AM the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)
- I AM the True Vine (John 15:1, 5)
There is another “I AM” statement in the Gospel of John.
- Before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58)
Today, let us study one of these “I AM” statements of Jesus, “I AM the True Vine”.
I. The Father, The Vinedresser (1-2)
See v1.
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Jesus is a true vine (1a). We are the branches of the vine (5). His Father is the vinedresser (1b). What does the vinedresser of the vine do? See v2.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
The Father removes every branch that does not bear fruit (2a). He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it may bear more fruit (2b). ‘prune’ is defined in a dictionary [1] as below.
trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.
Just as the vinedresser prunes the branches, God disciplines us for fruitfulness and growth. Our sins block our growth in Jesus. So, God will discipline us to repent our sins so that we may repent our sins and grow in Jesus. This ‘the father disciplines his son’ is mentioned in the Bible.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
(Proverbs 3:11–12 NKJV, quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6)
17 “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
(Job 5:17 NKJV)
As disciples of Jesus or Christians or Church members, they might act devotedly religious (Isaiah 58:1 NLT). They might come to Church regularly and seem delighted to learn all about God. They might act like a righteous group and would never abandon the laws of its God. They might ask God to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near God (Isaiah 58:2 NLT). They might say ‘We have fasted before God! Why isn’t God impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and God doesn’t even notice it!’ (Isaiah 58:3 NLT a). They might humble themselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing their heads like reeds bending in the wind. They might dress in burlap and cover themselves with ashes. (Isaiah 58:5 NLT a).
But the Father would tell of their sins! (Isaiah 58:1 NLT)
“You are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers….This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.” (Isaiah 58:3-4 NLT)
The Father would discipline them and teach them how they could get right with God. See Isaiah 58:6-11 NLT.
6 “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
The discipline of the Father might be great and you might cry out to Him for help. But if nothing seems to change, you may say, ‘He is not able to help.’ or ‘He doesn’t care.’ But He can help and care. Then, you may ask ‘Why did He not help?’ or ‘Why did He not answer me?’ To know the answer, let’s read Isaiah 59:1-2.
1 Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you,
nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.
Because of your sins, he has turned away
and will not listen anymore.
So, don’t just keep crying out to God for help but simply repent your sins before God. Let us read Isaiah 59:3-15 NLT about our sins.
3 Your hands are the hands of murderers,
and your fingers are filthy with sin.
Your lips are full of lies,
and your mouth spews corruption.
4 No one cares about being fair and honest.
The people’s lawsuits are based on lies.
They conceive evil deeds
and then give birth to sin.
5 They hatch deadly snakes
and weave spiders’ webs.
Whoever eats their eggs will die;
whoever cracks them will hatch a viper.
6 Their webs can’t be made into clothing,
and nothing they do is productive.
All their activity is filled with sin,
and violence is their trademark.
7 Their feet run to do evil,
and they rush to commit murder.
They think only about sinning.
Misery and destruction always follow them.
8 They don’t know where to find peace
or what it means to be just and good.
They have mapped out crooked roads,
and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace.
9 So there is no justice among us,
and we know nothing about right living.
We look for light but find only darkness.
We look for bright skies but walk in gloom.
10 We grope like the blind along a wall,
feeling our way like people without eyes.
Even at brightest noontime,
we stumble as though it were dark.
Among the living,
we are like the dead.
11 We growl like hungry bears;
we moan like mournful doves.
We look for justice, but it never comes.
We look for rescue, but it is far away from us.
12 For our sins are piled up before God
and testify against us.
Yes, we know what sinners we are.
13 We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord.
We have turned our backs on our God.
We know how unfair and oppressive we have been,
carefully planning our deceitful lies.
14 Our courts oppose the righteous,
and justice is nowhere to be found.
Truth stumbles in the streets,
and honesty has been outlawed.
15 Yes, truth is gone,
and anyone who renounces evil is attacked.
The Lord looked and was displeased
to find there was no justice.
In conclusion, if you repent, He will stop disciplining you.
Optional readings and summaries: Isaiah 59:16-19 NLT shows that the Lord Himself steps in to save. Isaiah 59:20-21 NLT shows that the Lord is the Redeemer.
II. Abide In Jesus (3-8)
See v3.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
The disciples of Jesus are branches of the true vine, Jesus (1a, 5) and Jesus cleaned them through His word spoken to them (3).
See v4.
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.
Jesus asks us to abide in Him. “Abide in Me” is translated as “Remain in Me” in John 15:4 NLT. Also, “abide in My word” (John 8:31 NKJV) is translated as “remain faithful to my teachings” in John 8:31 NLT.
Remain in Him. Receive His words of wisdom and open your understanding to His will (Isaiah 50:4 NLT). Listen to what He says and don’t rebel or turn away from Him (Isaiah 50:5 NLT).
Our roles in this metaphor are
- To accept the discipline of God, quickly repent and be a better version of ourselves (2).
- To remain in Jesus (4).
Why is remaining in Jesus so important? See v5-8.
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.
Our remaining in Jesus and vice versa is essential to bear much fruit (5a). Otherwise, the branch will be removed from the vine and withered (6a) and end up in fire for burning (6b).
Also, if we remain in Jesus and His words remain in us, we may ask for anything we want, and it will be granted! (John 15:7 NLT). When we produce much fruit, we are His true disciples and this brings great glory to His Father (John 15:8 NLT).
References
[1] Oxford Languages, 06 Oct 2024, https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/
Jesus’ Promise of Greater Works, His Manifestation, and the Gift of Peace
John 14:12–31 (NKJV)
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.
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.
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.”
Christ Answers Judas
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.
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.
Message
Last week, we studied John 14:1-11. Let us briefly review it. In John 14:7, Jesus taught His disciples that knowing or seeing Jesus is knowing or seeing His Father. However, Philip asked Jesus to show the Father (John 14:8). God, the Father is spirit (John 4:24) and invisible, and lives in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 1:16a). God became visible, approachable, and tangible in Jesus (John 1:18b, 1 John 1:1). Philip had enough opportunity to know and experience Jesus (John 14:9a). This is how Philip became knowing and experiencing God the Father. He who has seen Jesus has seen the Father (John 14:9b, 7). Philip should have recognised the following fact: Jesus was in the Father and the Father in Jesus (John 14:10a). This fact was witnessed by the works of God Jesus performed. The works of God include the words Jesus spoke as well as the numerous miracles Jesus performed. Regarding His words, He spoke not on His own authority but the Father who dwelled in Him did the works (John 14:10b). Finally Jesus said John 14:11 (NKJV).
14 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
What Jesus spoke and performed are the works of God and they help our faith. The works of God is one (John 5:36) of the five witnesses of Jesus (John 8:14, John 5:31-38).
Today let us continue studying the remaining verses in John 14.
I. The Believers Will Do Greater Works Because Jesus Goes To His Father (12-18)
See v12.
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.
He who believes in Jesus will also do the works Jesus did, and greater works than those He did (12a). So, the works of God will continue bearing witness for Jesus through the words His believers speak and the miracles they perform.
Why does v12a happen “because I go to My Father.” (12b)? The short answer is in John 14:28.
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.
The long answer is in v13-18. See v13-18.
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.
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.
After Jesus goes to His Father
- Only His followers on the earth can and should do the works of God.
- Jesus will do whatever they ask in His name (13a, 14).
- He will ask the Father to give His believers the Holy Spirit (another advocate, the Spirit of truth) to help them (16-17).
- The Advocate, the Holy Spirit will teach them all things and remind them of everything Jesus has said to them (John 14:26).
- Jesus will come to them (18, John 14:28).
Let us study more about 4. in Section II.
II. Jesus will Manifest Himself to Those Who Love Him (19-24)
See v19-24.
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.
Believers, who love Jesus, will obey His commandments (21a, 23a), be loved by His Father and Him, and experience Him (20-21) and they will live in him (23b). On the contrary, He, who does not love Jesus, does not keep His words (24a) which has the divine authority of God (24b).
III. Jesus Leaves His Peace With His Disciples (25-28)
See v25-28.
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.
Jesus said again, “Let not your heart be troubled” (27b), which He said in John 14:14a earlier. And He blessed them with His peace (27a).
Peace (27a), the peace of God, is included in the special blessing with which the priests should bless the people of God (Numbers 6:22-26 NLT). See Numbers 6:26 NLT.
26 May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.
IV. Jesus Told The Future That Would Come To Pass To Help Them Believe (29-31)
See v29
29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
Jesus told the future events before they would happen (29a). Whether a future event foretold by a prophet comes to pass or not is how to distinguish whether the Lord has spoken it or the prophet has spoken it presumptuously (Deuteronomy 18:20-22 NLT). Solomon, the King of Wisdom declared that no one knows the future (Ecclesiastes 8:7 NIV). Only the true God could foretell the future event and do it as He predicted and no foreign god could ever do this (Isaiah 43:12 NLT). God said, “Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.” (Isaiah 46:10 NLT).
See v30.
30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.
Simply reading this verse in NLT (New Living Translation) may help us to understand it more easily. See John 14:30 NLT.
30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me,
See v31.
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.
For this verse, let us read it simply in NLT. See John 14:31 NLT.
31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.
Jesus’ Assurance of Paradise, the Only Way to the Father, and His Unity with the Father
John 14:1–11 (NKJV)
Christ Comforts His Disciples
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.”
Christ Answers Thomas
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.
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Christ Answers Philip
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.
Message
I. The Disciples Will Be In Paradise (1-3)
See v1.
1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
Why did Jesus tell them not to let their heart be troubled? It may be because He has said He should leave them soon (John 13:33a), they could not come where He was going (John 13:33b), and Peter would deny Him three times (John 13:38). Jesus acknowledged their belief in God as the history of the Jews was led by God. Jesus asked them to believe also in Him (1b) before telling them what He was going to do for them in v2-3. See v2-3.
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.
My Father’s house (2a) may be ‘Paradise’ (Luke 23:43). There are many mansions there. Jesus will prepare more mansions if needed (2). If the mansions for them are ready, Jesus will come again and get them so that they may be also where Jesus is (3). So the disciples will be in Paradise eventually. But as for the Jews, they would die in their sin and could not come to Paradise (John 8:21) unless they believe in Jesus, the Messiah (John 8:24).
II. Jesus Is The Only Way To The Father (4-6)
See v4-6.
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.
Jesus already told them He was going back to Him who sent Him (John 7:33). But Thomas didn’t know both where Jesus was going and the way to go there (5). Jesus’ answer (6) shows where He was going is ‘the Father’ and the way is Jesus. And Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father (6b).
III. Knowing (Seeing) Jesus is Knowing (Seeing) His Father (7-11)
See v7.
7 “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Knowing Jesus is knowing His Father (7a). The Son is the exact representation of God (See Hebrews 1:3 NIV) and the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Seeing Jesus is seeing His Father (7b). See v8.
8 Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
Even though Jesus said v7, Philip requested Jesus to show the Father. Philip probably wanted to see the Father with his physical eyes, but He is spirit (John 4:24) and invisible and lives in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 1:16a), whom no one has seen or can see (1 Timothy 1:16b, John 1:18a). See v9-11.
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.
Knowing Jesus is knowing His Father (7a). Philip had enough opportunity to know and experience Him (9a). Experiencing Jesus is experiencing His Father (9b). When they see the works of God Jesus performed (10b, 11b), they can see (believe) Jesus is in the Father and the Father in Jesus (10a). Jesus spoke what the Father who dwells in Him commanded Him to say (10b, John 12:49).
Jesus asked Philip,
“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.” (11)
If they don’t know for sure yet, they should believe. If they can’t believe, they should look at the works of God performed. The object of belief is Jesus who is in the Father and in whom the Father is.
Jesus’ Glorification, the New Commandment, and Peter’s Denial Foretold
John 13:31–38 (NKJV)
Christ Announces His Departure
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.”
Christ Foretells Peter’s Denial
Matt. 26:34, 35; Mark 14:30, 31; Luke 22:33, 34
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.
Message
I. The Time Has Come for Jesus to Be Glorified (31-32)
See v31-32.
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.
John 13:31-32 NLT is easier to understand. See John 13:31-32 NLT.
31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. 32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once.
Judas was coming back with a detachment of troops (See John 18:3) so that Jesus might be arrested. This would be followed by His crucifixion and resurrection. So, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into His glory.” (31a). As a result, God would be glorified because of the Son Jesus (31b) and so, God would give His own glory to the Son (32). After the resurrection, Jesus was seen by them for forty days (Acts 1:3) and then taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). Sitting at the right hand of God reflects the fact God gave His own glory to the Son. Jesus glorified God by humbling Himself and obeying God’s will (Philippians 2:8). Let us read ‘how God glorified this Jesus His Son’ written in Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
All authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 17:14, 19:16).
II. A New Commandment (33-35)
See v33.
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.
Jesus called His disciples ‘little children’. It may mean they are like too little children in spirit to glorify God as Jesus does or to go where Jesus is. See v34-35.
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.”
Jesus taught them, who were little children, to love one another as Jesus has loved them. Jesus’ love for them just before He gave them this new commandment is ‘foot washing one another’ in John 13: 1-17. Loving brothers in the Lord is easy and natural, which little children in spirit can do. Loving enemies (Matthew 5:44) may be difficult for little children in spirit to do.
Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” in John 8:31. Again, in v35, Jesus says if we keep His new commandment all will know that we are His disciples. Our loving one another is the proof of our being His disciples.
III. A Conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter (36-38)
See v36.
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.”
Jesus didn’t say the place name Peter wanted to know. Instead, Jesus told Peter that Peter could not follow Him to go to where He was going now but afterward. So, Peter would be where Jesus was going. Where Jesus was going is where God is, who sent Jesus (John 7:33) and Paradise (Luke 23:43). While the Jews would die in their sins and could not come to Paradise (John 8:21, See John 8:24), His disciples would eventually be there (John 14:2, 3). See v37.
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
Peter loved Jesus and was confident to follow Him now to go to where He was going. See v38.
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.
Jesus knew all men and what was in man (38, John 2:24, 25, See John 1:48, 4:17, 18, 5:14, 6:6, 26, 9:3, 10:14). Jesus knows all things that we ever did (See John 4:29). This shows He is God. Jesus knew Peter would disown Him three times before the rooster would crow (John 18:25-27, Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62). Jesus also knows our future. So, Jesus is God. No one knows the future except God. See Ecclesiastes 10:14 NLT b.
14b No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Highlights Representation
John 13:18–30 (NKJV)
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.”
Christ Announces Judas, the Betrayer
Matt. 26:21, 22; Mark 14:18, 19; Luke 22:21–23
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.
Messages
I. Fulfilment of Prophecy (18-19)
See v18-19.
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.
The betrayal of Judas Iscariot is the fulfilment of Psalm 41:9. Jesus told His disciples about the betrayal in advance so that they might believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God who is to come into the world.
II. Representation and Reception (20)
See v20
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.”
Despite the betrayal by one of the disciples, Jesus assures them that whoever is sent by Jesus represents Him, so that he who receives His representative receives Jesus and he who receives Jesus receives the Father who sent Jesus.
III. Emotional Turmoil (21-22)
See v21-22.
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.
As Jesus said in v18-19, He told them in advance that one of them would betray Him, which would fulfil Psalm 41:9.
We note that Jesus was troubled in spirit when He had said v18-19. This shows He suffered when He was betrayed by a disciple He had taught, trained, trusted and loved.
IV. Identification of the Betrayer (23-27a)
See v23-27a.
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. 27a Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.
V24-25 shows the disciples didn’t know who the betrayer was. In v26, Jesus showed them who the betrayer was. V27a shows Satan entered Judas Iscariot.
V. Judas’ Actions (27b-30)
See v27b-30.
27b 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.
Jesus knew Judas was betraying Him. Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (27b) “What you do” are the things he does as his betrayal. What he does will harm the well-being of Jesus. But, Judas would not care but want to harm Him. So, Jesus asked him to do them quickly because Jesus was willing to sacrifice for His sheep. V28-29 shows no disciple knew why Jesus said this to Judas. The knowledge that the betrayal was happening was with Jesus but not with any of His disciples. How limited we are. After receiving the piece of bread, Judas went out immediately (30). “do quickly” (27b) might help him go out immediately.
Humility and Servanthood of Jesus
John 13:1–17 (NKJV)
Christ 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.”
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.”
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.
Message
See v1-5
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.
Jesus started to wash His disciples’ feet and to wipe them with a towel. The reason is found in the following verses. See v6-11.
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.”
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.”
Reborn Christians are considered ‘bathed’. They need only to wash their feet. The meaning of the foot washing will be known to the disciples not now but after the washing. After the washing Jesus said v14 that they ought to wash one another’s feet. That teaches them to love, forgive and pray for each other. Even though they were reborn, they could make mistakes, have faults, or be affected by the sinful people when they lived in this world. We can consider such occasions as their feet being dirted even though the whole body is clean. We know the feet are the most dirty part of our body and may have an awful odour. So, everyone dislikes to touch or smell others’ feet. Cleaning others’ feet is the work of the servants for their masters. We know it is more convenient if someone cleans my feet than cleaning them by myself. For example, I may pray for a fellow disciple who often becomes unclean so that he/she may repent his/her sins, resist temptations and maintain good spiritual condition. The unclean feet of other disciples may represent their weaknesses, some ugly sides, etc. This foot washing reminds me of Mary’s anointing and wiping the feet of Jesus in John 12:3. Judas Iscariot was likely not reborn (= ’bathed’) and so he was not clean. See v12-17.
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.
Jesus is the Lord and Teacher but He served His disciples. This means we as His disciples should serve our juniors and fellow disciples. This requires humility and servanthood. In particular, we are to wash their feet, which is ‘cleaning their uncleanness’. It should be a spiritual activity such as ‘praying for them, shedding our tears’.
