John 13:1-38 | Receive God’s Love
Notes
Transcript
SERMON TITLE: Receive God’s Love
SCRIPTURE: John 13:1-38 (ESV)
SPEAKER: Josh Hanson
DATE: 4-17-25
TURN MIC ON / WELCOME
As always it’s a joy to be with all of you for this special Maundy Thursday evening communion service. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you regularly hear this from me in person or via video — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.
SERIES INTRO
And we’re continuing our Easter series this evening — as we reflect on all that happened leading up to Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. Tonight is going to be a bit different than usual — a bit may be an understatement. We’re going to be in the gospel of John — so if you have your Bible — go ahead an open it up to the John 13.
Tonight’s sermon will be different as we’ll spend some time in John’s gospel and then have a time of response. Then we’ll spend more time in the gospel and respond. So on and so forth until we take communion together.
During evening communion services — like this — we also take up a benevolence offering. This is a special time of giving where the money received goes towards taking care of the physical needs of those who are part of our faith family. If you’d like to give this evening — you can do so in the black boxes on your way out or digitally — both on our website and app — there’s a benevolence offering option.
The act of taking communion is a time for us to remember all that God has done for us because he loves us. And — spoiler alert — that’s my goal for this evening’s sermon: For all of us — Christian or not — to receive God’s love. If you believe in Jesus already — I guarantee there’s more of God’s love for you to receive. And — if you don’t believe in Jesus — I can also guarantee there’s more of God’s love for you to receive.
So we’re all in the same boat tonight — with the opportunity being to receive more of God’s undeserved love towards us.
ADORATION
With that — let’s turn to John chapter 13. We’ll begin in verse one.
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had 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 back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
We begin with adoration. Adoration is an “act of worship, of paying honor, reverence, and obedience to God” according to one of my Bible dictionaries. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
And worship begins with adoration. If you were able to join us for the Saturday seminar that Dr. Bryan Chapell taught — this will be familiar to you. For — as he showed us — throughout church history — the worship of God begins with God. And — in beginning with God — we worship him for who he is. We give him honor for he alone is God. We revere him — lift him up in high esteem — for there is no god like our God.
On this night — when Jesus would be betrayed — he loved his disciples to the very end — that’s what John tells us. Jesus knew the hour of his sacrificial death had arrived — and yet — his love for his Heavenly Father and for his people was still on the forefront of his mind and affections. A love displayed so beautifully in verses three and four where we read…
3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
You see, Jesus knew that his Father had given everything into his hands — that the plan they made before the foundation of the world was about to be accomplished in time. Jesus knew where he’d come from and where he was going — and he even knew what was still ahead of him: the cross. And — in knowing all of this — where he came from, who he is — the Son of God, where he was going — back to his Father’s side in Heaven, and what was still ahead — the suffering and agony of the cross and all that it entailed…Jesus got up from the table. Took a towel. Tied it around his waist. Poured some water into a basin and began to was his disciples’ feet.
In the midst of a situation that would cause all of us to be so self-focused — Jesus — in love — served. What a reason we have to adore him. To worship him. To praise him. To lift up and pay him honor. He knew what was about to happen — and yet — he so cared for his disciples that they received his loving attention — just like we do today.
{Let’s respond to who Jesus is by adoring him in song together.}
RESPONSE OF ADORATION
CONFESSION
After adoration — the church has turned to confession. For — in knowing who God is — we can’t help but tremble in fear in knowing who we are. Today it’s common for Christians to talk about fearing God as revering him — as adoring him. And — though there is an aspect of fearing God that is adoring him — we just adored God — so the Christians who’ve come before us knew something about confession and fearing God that goes beyond just adoring him some more.
Take Noah as an example. The people of his day were wicked leading to God’s decision to judge humanity’s wickedness with a flood. Yet God provided Noah with a way of salvation: an ark. The author of Hebrews tells us that…
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
A pastor from centuries ago said this about Noah. “If he had not been moved with fear of God’s judgments God would never have provided an ark.” He goes on to write, “It is a real complaint against us that we are not moved enough by the fear of God’s judgments.” (John Owen, Searching Our Hearts in Difficult Times, 61)
The people of God have always been moved to confess their sins, rebellion, and disobedience when — in holy reverent fear — they recognize who God is, who he’s commanded us to be, and how we’ve fallen short of God’s glorious standard.
Continuing in the night Jesus would be betrayed we see confession when…
6 He (Jesus) came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share 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, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Where do we find our need to confess in this moment? When…
8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”
We — every single one of us — must be washed by Jesus if we to no longer fear God’s eternal judgment. We must be washed by Jesus in order to be clean. How does he wash us? With his blood.
In the Old Testament, all of the bloody sacrifices point ahead to the blood Jesus would shed on the cross. Items used for worship — in the Old Testament — would be sprinkled with water or blood — a sign pointing to them being cleansed. Priests would wash themselves before entering the presence of God — for God is holy — without sin — separate from sin — God cannot be in the presence of sin. Which is our — sinners — great dilemma.
Do you see your need to be washed? How your sins have stained you? Made you unpresentable and unholy to God? How — on your own — you have no hope of being right with God?
{Let’s respond to these truths of who we are with a time of confession.}
RESPONSE OF CONFESSION
ASSURANCE
Continuing in John’s gospel we read…
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Through history, after confessing our sins the church then offers assurance. For — through faith in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross — we are washed, cleansed of our sins, made pure, spotless, and holy. Through nothing of our own doing — Christ makes us right with God. And — though we don’t deserve it — we now have a relationship with God that is restored.
And — again — our hope — in these truths — our assurance — is because of who Christ is and what he accomplished on our behalf. We see this in verse 16 when Jesus says…
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
A servant is not greater than his master. None of us are greater than Jesus. Thus the hope and confidence in our assurance of being forgiven, redeemed, and made right with God is because of who Jesus is — and he’s really, really great. He’s the greatest! And — he who is the greatest — is the One who said…
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Or as Paul tells us…
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
{Let’s respond to the assurance we have in Christ.}
RESPONSE OF ASSURANCE
BELIEF AND BETRAYAL
What assurance we have in knowing that — through faith in Christ — all of our sins have been forgiven. An assurance — to be clear — for those who believe in Jesus. We see this as we continue on in John’s gospel. Jesus says…
18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” 21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Here we see belief and betrayal. The assurance we just reminded ourselves of is for those who believe in Jesus — that’s the good news. Coming judgment is for those who betray Jesus — the bad news. And though the bad news of God’s judgment often gets downplayed or — due to us being offended by a God who judges — is dismissed entirely — the same book which tells us the good news also tells us of the bad news. In fact — without the bad news of God’s judgment towards those who betray Jesus by not receiving his sacrifice — there is no good news — that God welcomes into his eternal family those who do receive Jesus’ sacrifice.
For Jesus tells us this is why he came to earth when — after telling the disciples that one of them will betray him — he says…
19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.
Jesus often spoke of his upcoming sacrifice to his disciples. Yet they — like many of us — heard what Jesus was saying without hearing him. They couldn’t fathom the idea of Jesus being killed on the cross and this being the will of God. Who wants to believe in a defeated Savior? The irony is that Jesus told him about this death ahead of time so that — when it happened — they would know that death was not the victor. For he also told them about his resurrection. For they heard him say, “Destroy this temple and in three days it will be raised again.” But it wasn’t until after his resurrection that John and the others connected the dots.
But what Jesus offered to them is what he also offers to all of us: an invitation to believe. To believe that he is the One about whom the prophets of old foretold. The promised Savior of the world. The One who though…
21 never sinned, [was] the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
There’s an invitation before all of us: to believe in Jesus Christ.
{Let’s respond to this invitation to believe.}
RESPONSE TO BELIEVE
LOVE
Continuing in the gospel of John, we read…
31 When he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Even Judas’ betrayal brought about Jesus being glorified. For God the Father has made God the Son — Jesus — look glorious in his loving sacrifice on the cross. And — in response to his loving sacrifice for us — we make Jesus look glorious by paying attention to his words…
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
An expectation for those who believe. A commandment — one of many — that we’re to obey. Just as we have been loved by Christ — we’re to love each other. For — by our love for one another — all people will know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ.
You see, believing in Jesus’ loving sacrifice on the cross changes the one who believes. Often I’m asked, “How do I know if I’m really a Christian? How do I know if I’m really saved? How do I know if I believe?” Are you changed? Not perfect — I’m not asking, “Are you perfect?” That’s the question our enemy loves to use to cause us to doubt if we believe or not. Not “are you perfect” — the question is, “Are you changed?” For belief in Jesus — and his immeasurable love for you — changes you.
Examples in Scripture include someone who was once a thief who now — because they believe in Jesus — haven’t just stop stealing — most non-Christians agree that stealing is wrong. But — belief in Jesus results in a former thief now working so that they not only provide for themselves, but also are generous to others. The thief no longer steals, instead he works hard, provides for his own needs, and is generous in helping meet the needs of others. That’s a changed life.
And — for all of us — even those who aren’t formerly thieves — there’s a “once I was blind, but now I see” kind of change from who were to who we are now — and who we will be — by God’s grace — tomorrow. For believing in Christ’s love for you changes you.
SACRIFICE
And — as you’ve heard me allude to already — the pinnacle of Christ’s love for us is him giving his life for us on the cross. Continuing in John’s gospel we read…
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 will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
You’ve got to love Peter. His enthusiasm is commendable — even though we know his actions will not match his words. Indeed — before the rooster crows Peter will deny knowing Jesus three times.
But isn’t that true for all of us? We make promises to Jesus — only to so easily break them. We promise to lay down our lives for him — but do we hear him asking us…
38“Will you lay down your life for me?”
The obvious answer is, “Jesus, I want to. But I know I will fail time and time again.” Thank God our hope isn’t in us — but is in the One who did lay down his life for us.
Yet — even though we know we’ll fail — the question is still before us all: Will you lay down your life for Jesus? In love — he laid down his life for you. Peter was obviously full of himself — proud — arrogant — ignorant of what he was really saying and especially of the denial he was about to do — but — the question still remains a valid one for all of us. Will you lay down your life — having to be in control — or having things your way — or will you give your life — and control — and your way — over to the One who so loved you that he gave his life for you?
COMMUNION
All that we’ve read — as you’ve heard me say a few times this evening — happened on the night on which Jesus was betrayed. It was also the night when he and his disciples dined at a table as they ate the Passover Meal. You’ll hear more about the Passover — in a moment — but know that this was a night where the Jewish people remembered God rescuing them out from under the hand of the Egyptians. The tenth and final plague had been announced — the death of all firstborns in the land. The Israelites were not exempt from this plague of God’s judgment — though they were provided a way of escape.
They were to sacrifice a lamb and put some of the blood on the doorposts to their homes. A sign of their home being covered by the blood of the lamb who was slain as a sacrifice for their sins. A way that — through faith — for they had to believe God in order to obey him — they would be saved from God’s wrath and judgment. Having put the blood on their doorposts — the families were to eat a meal that was called the Passover. For on that night — God’s judgment passed over all who’s homes were covered by the blood of the lamb.
It’s this meal that the disciples were eating with Jesus. And…
26 as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Hear and receive the good news: In this supper God declares to us that our sins have been completely forgiven through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which he himself finished on the cross once for all. Come, therefore, all of you who are truly sorry for your sins, who believe in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, have confessed his name, and desire to live in obedience to him. Come eagerly and joyfully, with the assurance of faith. For Christ — our risen Lord — invites you as guests to fellowship with him — and each other — at his table.
At this time, ushers will begin dismissing you by rows, so you can come forward to receive the bread and the cup. Take both before returning to your seats. There are baskets — up front — for you to put your empty cups in. We also have a gluten free wafer option for those who need one. If you’re unable to come forward — raise your hand and let the usher know as they dismiss your row — and someone will come and serve you in your seat.
Come and receive and feast on the love of God as displayed in the sacrifice of his Son. Come with hope, come with assurance, come in awe of your God, come repentant, come in faith. Come all who are truly sorry for your sins and whose hope is in Jesus Christ.
RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE AND SACRIFICE
PRAYER
Holy Father, Son, and Spirit, what marvelous truths we’ve beheld this evening. Who you are. Who we are. Assurance you’ve guaranteed. Promises to those who believe and warnings to those who don’t. We’ve seen your love for us and what you require of all who’ve received your love. And we’ve gazed on the horrific beauty that is the death of Jesus Christ. Horrific because the Son of God was killed — but beautiful because resurrection day is just around the corner.
Gracious God, may you open all of our eyes to see Jesus for who he is so we all leave here believing in him for our hope and salvation. And it’s in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.
BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)
Please stand for the benediction.
May you go knowing that you are loved by God — and may you respond to his love. Amen.
God loves you. I love you. You are sent.
