Jesus Makes a Way

Eyewitness Testimony

John 13:21–26 ESV

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 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.

Jesus and the disciples are laying on the floor facing a low table (coffee table) with feet behind them and leaning with their left elbows on a cushion, eating with their right hands. John the Gospel writer refers to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved is next to Jesus and upon a signal from Peter he leans back to ask Jesus who it is that will betray Him. Jesus then apparently whispers to John it is he whom I will give this morsel of bread. I assume he whispers for the text says the disciples did not know the reason Judas got up and left.

These details display an eyewitness account of what happened. Indeed John writes in John 21:24

John 21:24 ESV

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

and again in John 19:35

John 19:35 ESV

He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.

John then calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved not because Christ loved him more than the others but rather to emphasise his status a an eye witness. It is as though to say I am telling the truth.

Trust me and pay attention.

You can’t follow me now

John 13:33–38 ESV

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.’ 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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 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.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 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.

Jesus is leaving and the disciples cannot come

But why can they not come

two reasons one bad and one very good

Bad news - they did not have the strength of spirit to deny themselves and follow to the cross

Everyone deserts him Even Peter.

John 13:36-38

John 13:36–38 ESV

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.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 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.

Though the desire is there they are powerless to make the sacrifices necessary to follow a crucified Messiah. They need the power of the Holy Spirit living in their lives.

Yet the second reason they couldnt follow Jesus was very Good news.

Jesus - Sacrificial replacement

Notice what Jesus says you cannot follow me now but will come afterward. Jesus was not leaving us forsaken but rather blazed the trail to heaven.

In heaven there is no sin

Jesus swaps our sins for his righteousness

The Darkness and the Light

John 13:27–32 ESV

Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 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. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

The betrayal ends with the statement and it was night

I do not think this is just a reference to the time of day but also a reference to Luke 22:53

Luke 22:53 ESV

When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

This night Satan would seem to win it would be the darkest moment in history. In this moment Jesus the Son of God will be slain. In this moment Satan thinks hes won.

Yet notice the words of Jesus though night has come Jesus says now will the glory of God be shown.

In the very moment where Satan thought he won Jesus says the power of God will show the brightest.

You see darkness does not overcome the light John 1:5

John 1:5 ESV

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Darkness can never overpower light it is impossible.

Jesus told us he is the light John 8:12

John 8:12 ESV

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Though Satan thought the darkness had won in killing Jesus really this darkness only served to better demonstrate the power of the Light Jesus. For he overcame death Revelation 1:8

Revelation 1:18 ESV

and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Sin and death are conquered by the death burial and ressurection of Jesus. My friends what have we who believe in him have to fear. Indeed this is why Jesus says in John 14:1

John 14:1 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Invitaition

We have nothing to fear for God is with us he has forgiven us through the sacrificial death of Jesus. All we must do is believe in Jesus, and trust him as Lord our lives, trust that his death is sufficient to pay the price of our sins, trust that his love is eternal for us and he will come for us again, trust that his rules and discipline are not for restriction and punishment but rather for our own good. Trust that he is God and He wants us with him forever in Heaven. Will you trust him today.