The Gospel of John: John 13.1-11
Read and meditate on John 13.1.
John probably wrote his gospel after the other three evangelists had completed theirs, so he felt free to skip the many events they describe following Jesus’ triumphant entry to Jerusalem, and he went straight to the heart of his gospel – the discourse in the upper room. We begin this section, chapters 13-17, with a glimpse into the mind of Christ, a glimpse which tells us everything we need to know about what follows, and about what has come before.
1Before the Passover, when Jesus knew
His hour had come, when He would go unto
the Father and depart this world, since He
had loved His own (who were in the world), so He
loved them unto the very end.
- John 13.1
Reflect
1. Skip to Thursday. At Jesus’ direction, the disciples have arranged to eat the Passover in an upper room. This is where John picks up the action. John wants to make sure we follow his story from this point forward from Jesus’ perspective, and not just ours. Otherwise, what happens will not make any sense. What was Jesus focusing on in that upper room? What was it that He “knew”? Why would He be keeping this in mind at this time? Complete this prayer: Lord, I know You died and rose again, and that You are ascended on high and seated at the right hand of the Father. And I know also that…
2. The writer of Hebrews applies Jesus’ focus to us. Meditate on Hebrews 12.1-3. What was the joy Jesus contemplated which allowed Him to endure His suffering? How does the writer of Hebrews apply this to us? What promise attends the practice of this discipline? How would you counsel a new believer to “consider Him”? Help me, Lord, in my time with You, to focus on…
3. How was it evident that Jesus “loved His own who were in the world”? John will “bookend” this statement with verse 35. What does this suggest about the kind of relationships Christians are to pursue with one another? What can keep us from relating to one another in this way? Lord, too often I’m only thinking about myself, rather than my brothers and sisters. Show me by Your example, and empower me by Your Spirit to…
4. Jesus did not fail in His love for those the Father had given Him (Jn. 17.6-8). Explain. Jesus’ love was costly. What He was about to undergo, He had previously taught His disciples they must be willing to do as well (cf. Matt. 16.24-27). Why is this an appropriate way of thinking about the kind of love Christians should have for one another? Today, Lord, if I am to follow You, I must deny myself, take up my cross, and…
5. In the first 12 chapters of His gospel, John concentrated on establishing Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God and Savior of the world. He cited Jesus’ teaching and works to convince readers that Jesus was Who He claimed. But we have not read much about love (although it was clearly declared early on as God’s motive in sending Jesus to the world, John 3.16). Everything that follows in John’s gospel will focus on the love of Jesus, both for God and for the world (represented by His disciples). All the claims about Jesus – all His works and words – come most fully to expression in one primary way: Love. What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Can we truly follow Him and not love as He loves? Explain. Bring together into one the prayers you composed for questions 1-4.
Summary
“From here the Evangelist passes to the story of the passion. Here also, insofar as is possible, he is careful in saying nothing that has already been related by the other [Evangelists], unless the course of the narrative obliges him [to do so], and it is impossible to construct an accurate order of events without reporting part of the facts already related by his colleagues. When he reports those things done and said by our Lord to his disciples, which we do not find to be mentioned by the others in their books, he wants to show that our Savior did not undergo his passion outside his knowledge and expectation but by his free will. Only when he wanted to did he taste death.… In the same way here, by writing, ‘Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father,’ he means that he knew exactly the time of his passion and everything that would happen to him.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)
We do not truly know Jesus unless we know Him as love, for love, and unto love. Explain.
Closing Prayer
I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.
Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.
Then I said, “Behold, I come;
In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40.1-8
Psalm 40.1-8 (Dix: For the Beauty of the Earth)
I waited patiently for God; He inclined and heard my cry,
Lifted me up above the sod, set me on a Rock on high!
New songs in my mouth He gave; may He through me many save.
Blessed are all who trust in You, turning both from lies and pride.
Countless wonders, Lord, You do, and Your thoughts with us abide.
Lord, Your worth who can declare? None with You can e’er compare.
Off’rings You do not require – open now my ears, O Lord –
What from me do You desire? Firm delight to do Your Word.
Take my life in ev’ry part; write Your Law upon my heart.
T. M. Moore
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.
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