The Beginning Of The End
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Introduction:
The gospel of John goes from chapters 1 - 21 but as we covered before the book can be understood with different “sections” being highlighted.
You can look at the gospel of John in light of a race being run.
Chapters 1-4 “Stretching/Warmup”
Chapters 5-11 “The Beginning/First Half”
Chapter 12 “Coasting”
Chapters 13-16 “The Final Stretch”
Chapters 17-19 “The Finish Line”
Chapters 20-21 “Victory Lap”
Chapters 1-4 could be considered the “stretching and warmup” portion.
Jesus is getting ready to take the baton from John and run the race he paved the way for.
Chapters 5-11 could be considered “The beginning - first half of race”.
Jesus is, by default, antagonizing the religious to hate Him.
The resulting goal is that their hatred earns Him the position of the sacrificial lamb.
Chapter 12 could be considered the “coasting” portion.
The coasting is what happens when your body goes numb and your just going through the motions on cruise while running. (elaborate a little more)
Chapters 13-16 is “The last push or final stretch”.
This can be like Jesus passing the baton to the disciples and He is preparing them for it.
Chapters 17-19 is “The Finish Line”.
This is His death, burial, and resurrection: Jesus Wins!
Chapters 20-21 is Jesus’ “Victory Lap”.
He raises His body from the dead, bringing victory over the grave and reveals Himself to prove He is God!
Chapter 13 enters the Final stretch where all is given!
Before all is we read that Jesus' focus is on those left behind.
Preparations Are Made (1-20)
Preparations Are Made (1-20)
Verses 1-20 we read how Jesus prepared the disciples.
The very first verse we hear of Jesus’ all knowing attribute and we get to hear what His focus was right before His death.
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.
Who does the text say that Jesus is focused on?
If you knew your “Hour” had come, who would you be focused on?
What would be your priority?
Illustration:
What would you do if you knew when you would die?
How would you prepare for it, who would you prepare?
Think of this scenario from this lens.
Jesus knew when He would die, what day and what hour, and instead of booking travel plans to see the sights, or taking out a ridiculous loan, driving a fancy car...
Jesus only thought of the disciples and us as it states that He loved them to the end.
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.
John 13 explains the last things Jesus did and this one here is a meal with His disciples to impart last things.
This wasn’t just unique because of Jesus’ hour had arrived; it is unique for another reason.
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,
Judas arrived with a purpose.
One much different than Jesus’ and the other disciples.
He purposed to betray Him into the hands of the Pharisees!
The name Judas and his father was mentioned, probably to differentiate Him from the many “Simon’s” in temple records and that they were not from Galilee.
There is a curious phrase we can find in verse 2.
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,
“The devil had already put into the heart”
Let’s clarify this a little bit.
(?) How can satan work in the hearts of men?
Satan works through temptation, through our sinful desires, by deceiving us with lies, and he exploits our weaknesses.
What trap do you think Judas fell into?
Temptation - He was is in charge of money and would help himself to the bag as his piggy bank.
The temptation drove him to betray Jesus for whatever reasons, maybe Judas thought He was a false Messiah and didn’t believe in Him.
If that’s the case they were going to kill Jesus anyway, so why not get paid for it.
Connection:
This isn’t exclusive to Judas. Satan uses his influences against us too.
He doesn’t need any “new” things, mankind is the same all through history and he is really good at what he does.
You want to be on guard for satan, He will use anything he can to influence you.
Jesus knew the heart of Judas, and instead of removing him from their presence He did something to teach them all.
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.
Jesus humbled Himself as a servant to serve the disciples.
By washing their feet.
This was a common practice, not out of the ordinary.. Yet there is more significance to this instance here.
6 He 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.”
Jesus revealed this was different than just a cleaning of dirt from the feet to eat indoors.
Jesus utilized a cultural norm to teach them to serve one another, and to be humble enough to accept the least favored position.
Peter only understood the physical act that their teacher is doing instead of what He was about to teach them.
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.”
Still thinking of the physical Peter opened his mouth once again.
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.”
Talk about an awkward moment...
Here Peter probably isn’t sure what to think about this situation.
Jesus knew Judas, who was there, would betray Him and here He is washing all of their feet, even Judas’.
He didn’t leave Peter in the wind to figure it out for himself, He finished and explained the purpose.
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.
There was no misunderstanding that!
Clear as a bell.
Any moment we begin to think that we are a little better than anyone else we are reminded here - Don’t!
Humility should be our hearts towards one another not pride.
Serving one another for the building up of the body of Christ to be an example of our Savior.
He tells them their commission and encourages them of those who will believe:
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.”
Faith in Jesus is faith in God the creator!
Through all of this scene Jesus is preparing the disciples and making preparations for His sacrifice.
Something really awesome in this section can be found in the garments of Jesus.
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.
What did He use to was “sin” from them?
A towel that He wore, where did He put that “sin” stained garment?
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?
I’m not sure that John intends this symbolism; but it’s just an observation:
He wore their sin! No different of an example that He left on the cross!
He already stated that apart from Him, no one can be cleansed, and it was offered freely!
Salvation is the work He came to finish!
Prophecies had been given as signs to affirm Jesus’ work and part of that was fulfilled through Judas!
Prophecy Fulfilled (21-30)
Prophecy Fulfilled (21-30)
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.”
This betrayal was necessary.
Again coming into thought is the “how” for Jesus to become the passover sacrificial Lamb?
Instead of the why question the disciples wanted to know the same thing that each one of us would want to know.
25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
John was given the answer, it doesn’t say that Jesus said it to all of them, seems like it may have been only John.
This kind of clears up any confusion for why the disciples didn’t understand where Judas was going.
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.
He told John; then showed him..
This is an example of the love and trust between a disciple and the Lord.
A reflection of the relationship that we can have with Him.
We can find comfort near Him and can freely ask things that others are scared to ask.
And be given the answer.
That is a relationship that Judas didn’t have with Jesus.
Every believer can recognize this type of relationship because we all know people who are in the same position as Judas and don’t know Jesus like we know Him.
Sin cam into Judas, by way of giving into his own desire.
Notice what sin did.
Sin removed freedom, Jesus’ freedom.
He would be imprisoned and killed because of sin, FOR sin!
Jesus approved of it and permitted it.
We get to read the sequence of events:
27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
If we read it quickly we might miss what it says.
Jesus’ authority is shown.
After Satan entered Judas, Jesus speaks to who?
Judas or Satan?
Scripture doesn't tell us, so we can't be dogmatic; but it seems that He is speaking to Satan, giving him approval to use Judas’ body to betray Jesus and condemn Him to death.
This authority is expressing a similar narrative to the beginning of Job.
Satan had to get permission to afflict Job in any way.
Jesus is giving permission to Satan to use men to kill the Him.
Unbeknownst to Satan He was carrying out the will of the Father for a way to redeem mankind and bring peace between God and man!
Even Judas' betrayal fulfills God's eternal plan.
Illustration:
Have you ever played chess with a person that was really good?
I have.
The first time I played a guy (I was like 13 and was just learning how to play) I did every move he did.
The second time I did the same thing, only he set me up and I found myself in checkmate in 4 moves.
Satan was playing against the creator, he could never win. (Checkmate!)
After Satan left with Judas’ body Jesus promised a future for the disciples.
Promised Future (31-38)
Promised Future (31-38)
Jesus is going to be glorified and God will be who Jesus is glorifying!
31 When he 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.
The presumed victory over Jesus’ fame isn’t going to accomplish what they hope.
It will seal and provide the most public platform to a testimony of His death, and burial.
After He raises Himself from the dead there is an opportunity, through faith in Him, a forgiveness of sins and promise that lasts into eternity!
The “new commandment” is now being offered through Jesus!
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
In order for the promise to pass to others it had to be broken and distributed.
Jesus’ body was broken “bruised for our iniquities” for our sin and just like the fish and loaves the broken pieces of Jesus being spread out will never run out.
Riches will run out; but God’s grace will never run out, It is always available for all!
Offer the bread of life to all you love and come in contact with.
That would be fulfilling what Jesus has asked next of His disciples and is asking of us:
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.”
As we know it isn’t always easy to love others.
I can be a difficult person sometimes and can be difficult to love.
Love is shown in many different ways and the lack of love can be too.
Look at what Peter was going to do even though He loved Jesus.
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.
Peter loved Jesus and in the moment Jesus was taken, choosing to give into fear instead of love, he denies Jesus 3x.
But what a difference you can see when the comforter comes and gives Him the boldness, from love not fear, to speak to the religious authority in Acts!
Love one another because you can, even when sometimes they don’t treat you with love back.
Why?
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sometimes you will be grateful for other people loving you when you were difficult to love!
Conclusion:
Jesus knew exactly who would betray Him.
He knew who would deny Him.
He knew who would abandon Him.
He still loved them to the very end.
That's exactly how He loves us.
Go love others—not because they deserve it—but because Christ loved you when you didn't deserve it.
-Pray!
