Bible Study - Connected (2) - A Life of Loyalty - John 13:21-35 - March 13, 2022

 

Bible Study – Connected (2) – A Life of Loyalty – March 13, 2022

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled, “Living Life Connected to CHRIST.”

Our focus scripture is John 13:21-27, 31-35.

Connection to CHRIST calls for consistent loyalty.

JESUS’ disciples had different thoughts about JESUS and HIS mission. JESUS’ disciple, John, wrote his narrative after the crucifixion of JESUS, HIS resurrection, JESUS walking upon earth for 40 days after HIS resurrection, JESUS’ ascension into Heaven to sit at the right-hand of HIS FATHER and the anointing of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. John fully understood why GOD sent JESUS into the world, why HE was betrayed and crucified. The Holy Spirit gave John full understanding of the why’s in the life of JESUS. John’s account is putting it all together for us. How could John do that? JESUS tells us why HIS disciples could put all the facts together after they received the indwelling Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The same is true for all who are Spirit-born.

Let’s read John 14:26:

²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

JESUS gave HIS sinless life just for you and for me by the shedding of HIS sinless blood. Why? It is GOD’S Word reveals to us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. I used to ask GOD why couldn’t I shed my own blood. HIS answer was straight forward, “You do not qualify because I demand and require an unblemished sacrifice and a sinless sacrifice. That is why all people must come to ME by accepting MY only SON, JESUS, as his or her Savior.

It is fitting that the crucifixion of JESUS happened during the celebration of Passover. When a person has placed his or her faith in JESUS, that person has eternal life because he or she has been Spiritually born into the family of GOD, never to be unborn.

Once you have been born physically, can you become unborn? NO! The same is true for the Spiritually born person.

The disciples of JESUS were celebrating Passover. Our scripture is John’s account of what took place – Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 13:18-20:

¹⁸ “I’m not speaking about all of you; I know those I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: The one who eats my bread^[c] has raised his heel against me.^[d] 19 I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he. ²⁰ Truly I tell you, whoever receives anyone I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives him who sent me.”

What does Genesis 3:15 reveal to us:

I will put hostility between you (Satan) and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.^[d]
He (JESUS) will strike your head,
and you (Satan) will strike his heel.

JESUS knew what HIS mission was and HIS time had come.

Let’s read John 13:21-30:

Judas’s Betrayal Predicted

²¹ When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

Have you ever been troubled in your spirit? This is a time for us to pray. In this instant, it was confirmation to JESUS that HIS time to fulfill and complete HIS mission upon earth was at hand.

JESUS’ disciples heard what JESUS said and were not sure who HE was talking about.

²² The disciples started looking at one another—uncertain which one he was speaking about. ²³ One of his disciples, the one Jesus loved (John), was reclining close beside Jesus.^[e] 24 Simon Peter motioned to him (Psst John, what did JESUS say?) to find out who it was he was talking about. ²⁵ So he (John) leaned back against Jesus and asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

John, the writer of the Gospel according to John, is the disciple JESUS loved. The disciples were seated in a reclining position at the table to observe Passover. John would have been on the right side of JESUS leaning left toward JESUS. Simon Peter motioned to John and asked John to find out who JESUS was talking about. JESUS identified Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son as the person who would betray JESUS as we read on----

²⁶ Jesus replied, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.” When he had dipped the bread, he gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.^[f] 27 After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. So, Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.”

JESUS identified Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son as the one who would betray HIM. Did JESUS identify Judas in an effort for him to reconsider what he was doing? Why couldn’t Judas change his mind? Satan had entered his heart and controlled Judas.

Why did Judas betray JESUS? Judas was the disciple’s treasurer. He held the money bag. My personal belief is that Judas was ambitious and he wanted JESUS to establish HIS Kingdom upon earth and in doing so, Judas, would be an important person in GOD’S Kingdom upon earth, maybe Treasurer. [John 12:4-6 - ⁴ Then one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot (who was about to betray him), said, ⁵ “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii^[b] and given to the poor?” ⁶ He didn’t say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief. He was in charge of the money-bag and would steal part of what was put in it.] I think, the fact that JESUS did not fight when HE was arrested, gave Judas a different perspective regarding the mission and purpose of JESUS and he went out and killed himself.

²⁸ None of those reclining at the table knew why he said this to him. ²⁹ Since Judas kept the money-bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰ After receiving the piece of bread, he immediately left. And it was night.

John gives us what the disciples thought about the sudden exit of Judas was about.

Let’s read John 13:31-33:

The New Command

³¹ When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him,^[g] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. ³³ Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’

When Judas had left, JESUS knew that the die had been cast and he was on the path HIS Father had destined for HIM to follow. John 3:14-21 gives us a good overview:

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

We read in John 17:

⁴ I have glorified you on the earth by completing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ Now, Father, glorify me in your presence with that glory I had with you before the world existed.

JESUS knew WHO HE WAS and left HIS home in Heaven to come to earth to give HIS sinless life just for you or me. Why? It is because HE loved us and this love is called agape. Agape love is a love that does not expect anything in return.

What does this mean to us as a Spirit-born Christians? Let’s read on----

Let’s read John 13:34-35:

³⁴ “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The Greek word for love as used in these verses is “agape.” Spirit-born Christians are to have a heart changed by JESUS that expresses agape love. Agape love cannot be faked. It comes from a heart that has been changed by the Spiritual birth of a person through faith in JESUS.

Blessings!!!