A Disappionting Turn of Events

PRAYER GROUPS

Key Points

1. Jesus points out that being betrayed was always in the cards.

-This is not the first time Jesus mentions a betrayal

John 6:70 NIV

Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”

-John is not much for spoiler alerts and names names.

John 12:4 NIV

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,

John 13:2 NIV

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

-Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 in order make his point that was in cards all along

Psalm 41:9 NIV

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

-In this particular psalm David is lamenting about the number of foes that stand against him, worse yet that there treasonists among his closest allies. Jesus is calling on this imagery.

-Psalm 41, some believe, is David specifically reflecting on Ahithophel’s betrayal in 2 Samuel 16. Ahithoophel was a trusted advisor to King David who later aligned himself with Absolom, David’s son, who started an insurrection against the throne.

-Imagine what it must have been like to have a trusted confidant turn on you. Now imagine knowing all along this was supposed to happen.

-We take for granted what we know when it comes to the life of Jesus. Imagine watching this unfold in real time or reading this for the first time.

How does it feel when you realize...

2. Judas, who was chosen by Jesus, serves a purpose even as the betrayer.

The Gospel according to John 2. Jesus Predicts His Betrayal (13:18–30)

Although he is about to be betrayed, Jesus is not a hapless victim. Even the treachery of Judas can only serve the redemptive purposes of the mission on which Jesus has been sent.

-This was a man that Jesus hand selected, and do not forget he just washed the man’s feet.

-His exposure to “the light” was no different than the other 11 but in the end he chose the darkness.

John 13:27 is a most horrifying verse

John 13:27 NIV

As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”

-However, Jesus seems to be letting them in on some insider information.

John 13:19 NIV

“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.

-There is a plan in place and here are roles to to played (careful to not fall into a Calvinist way of thinking).

-Jesus is troubled by this. (humanity)

-Peter get’s John to ask what’s going on but they still don’t really get what’s going on.

-Jesus even seems to move things along by telling Judas to do what he must do quickly.

3. Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for his departure.

-Jesus begins with more talk about glorification.

Look back at John 12:23-26

John 12:23–26 NIV

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

-The clock is now ticking, so to speak.

-Jesus then tells the disciples that they can’t go where he is going (at least not yet).

-Then we get this amazing teaching on love.

-Jesus says its a “New” command. What makes it new?

-Remember Jesus is here declaring that the Kingdom of God is here (now but not yet).

-Loving one another is not a new idea but it looks different in the Kingdom of God. In that sense it is new.

-Commands need context (10 commandments context, I am the God who led you out Egypt, who rescued you)

-So when Jesus says love one another (the community of believers) the context is that he has laid down his life for us.

-Disciples of Jesus will be identified by how they love one another.

-Who are the “one anothers”?

-A new community, the Kingdom of God

4. Disappointment continues as Jesus predicts Peter’s denial.

-It’s seems like Peter may have missed the point about this new community, “where are you going?”

-Peter seems always to double down, “don’t just wash my feet, wash everything”. Now he says why can’t I follow you? I’ll do more than than that, I’ll die for you.

-It’ s not Peter’s time… there is still work to be done.

-We don’t get a feel for how Peter responded to Jesus rebuke.

John 13:38 NIV

Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

-Surely it stung. In John’s gospel we have to wait 5 more chapters for this to see it’s fulfillment

-Luke’s gospel says

Luke 22:60–62 NIV

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

-Unfortunately it’s not to difficult for me to see myself in Peter’s shoes and I try to imagine the felling of disappointment. Not just Peter’s, in himself, but also the Lord’s. And maybe it’s not so much disappointment as it is frustration.

The challenging part of this text, whether you’re reading it for the 1st or 100th time is to find ways to say how does this apply to us today.

APPLICATION & IMPLICATIONS

1. Disappointment is a human condition that Jesus had to contend with.

Hebrews 4:15 NIV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Disappointment is not a sin or temptation but the overarching truth is that Jesus understands what it’s like to be human.

I don’t believe that there is even a hint of pleasure in removing Judas from the the fold. There was no delight in humbling Peter.

We will be disappointed with others.

The next point is the answer to how we handle such disappointments.

2. It is impossible to be a follower of Christ and not love one another.

1 Corinthians 13 NIV

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

3. Even the most devout disciple will face moments where they are tempted to deny Christ.

Let us be humble in our pursuit for righteousness.