”John, The Gospel of Belief” by Edwin Jones Part 15

Jan 10 2021 - Sunday AM Bible Class

JOHN, THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF, CHAPTER THIRTEEN

(Passover and Washing Feet, Betrayal and an Admonition from Jesus, Simon Peter’s Rash Promise)

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN VERSES ONE thru Twenty

(Passover and Washing Feet)

 

• At last, Jesus’ “Hour” had come.
• Unfortunately, even at this time of crisis, the disciples were looking to who would have the highest rank in the coming kingdom (Lk.22:24-30; Matt. 20:20-28).
• The type of slave assigned foot washing duties was the lowest of the low, commonly non-Jewish.
• One of the great rabbis among the Jews, R. Yehudah ha-Nasi, was said to be a man of great virtue. He taught humility but did not believe humility meant he should abandon his superior rabbinic position.

• Jesus had no such understandings of humility (cf. Jn. 13:13-14).
• The Jews deemed all manner of service of a disciple for his teacher was proper, except washing his feet or removing his shoes.

• Peter thought the Lord’s conduct was so beyond the bounds of social propriety, he strongly protested Jesus actions initially.

• There is no record in Jewish or Greco-Roman literature of a superior washing the feet of an inferior.
• When, however, Peter learns he can have no part with Jesus unless he gets over his cultural conditioning, he aggressively seeks an even fuller washing.
• He was quickly informed by Jesus that he needed only his feet washed. Cultural conditioning must not rule.
  • Neither are we to allow emotions to rule our religious decisions.

• Rather than military courage, prized in the cultures Jesus contacted, the courage to love, express humility, practice and self-sacrifice were elevated by Jesus.

• Additionally, knowledge alone is not enough; virtue and humility must be practiced.
• Jesus is counterintuitive to us, but not at all to the Father.

• Jesus uses the occasion to introduce the subject of His coming betrayal.

• The verse quoted by Jesus, Psalm 41:9, was linked by the

             Rabbis to Ahithophel and his conspiracy against David.

• Eating bread at the table of a superior was seen as a pledge of loyalty (cf. II Sam. 9:7-13; I Kgs. 18:19; II Kgs. 25:29).
• Thus, Judas’ behavior was particularly insulting and a gross breach of hospitality.

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN VERSES TWENTY- ONE thru THIRTY-FIVE

(Betrayal and Admonition)

 

• An insider would betray Him.

• When the Apostle John asked for a more specific answer, Jesus revealed it would be the one to whom He handed a morsel—Judas.
• Judas, as with all true liars, could act in such a way as to suggest his innocence.

• Satan uses people whose hearts he first corrupts.
  • Before Satan can corrupt a heart, he must first be invited inside.
  • Judas hurried to do his evil work—if only the righteous would hurry to do the king’s business.
• Jesus standard of love, not Simon’s, would be the standard of conduct to distinguish Christianity to the world.
  • Jesus wants His people identified by the quality of the love the show to one another.
  • Too often our evidences of discipleship ask less of us, centering instead on outward declarations and affirmations.
  • Consider I John 4:19-21.

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN VERSES THIRTY- SIX thru THIRTY-

EIGHT

(Simon Peter’s Rash Promise)

 

• Simon must learn to trust Jesus over his own emotions.
  • In view of Jesus disarming Peter later (cf. Matt. 26:51-52), His comment translated “It is enough” should be taken to mean, “Stop the foolish talk,” much as he needs to do on this occasion.
  • Jesus glory would come from the Father through the death He was about to die.
• Later, John 21:15-23, Jesus would reel Simon Peter in by getting him to accept the reality of the strength of his love so that he might grow stronger.

 

Edwin

 

Duration 45:54