The Gospel of John: John 13.27-38

Read and meditate on John 13.33.
Jesus speaks cryptically about the next stage in His ministry, and it’s not time yet for us to follow Him there.

                                         ³³“My children, I
shall be with you a little longer. You
will seek Me, and as I said to the Jews,
‘Where I am going, there you may not come,’
now I the same say unto you.”

- John 13.33

Reflect
1.  The idea that Jesus was going away must have disturbed His disciples. He told them He was going somewhere, but they could not come with Him. But He didn’t give them any more details. Why not? Should we always expect God to lay out in detail whatever He has next in store for us? Explain. Complete the following prayer: Lord, what I need to know are my next steps for today, and I will…

2.  Let’s explore the phrase “you cannot come” in more detail. The Greek says you are not able to come. Where was Jesus going in the next few hours? Why were the disciples not able to go there (cf. 1 Tim. 2.5, 6)? Only You, Lord, could do what You did for us, and so I look only to You for…

3.  The disciples could not accomplish there what Jesus would; they were not able to do so because Jesus is our only Mediator. But they were not able to go there for another reason. What was that? Were the disciples ultimately able to overcome their fear, to go where Jesus sent them? How? Do you ever find that fear can keep you from following where Jesus leads? Should we be content with this? Lord Jesus, help me to follow wherever You lead today. Let me not be afraid of…

4.  Beyond the events of the next day (Friday), Jesus was going somewhere else His disciples would not be able to follow. Where was that (Acts 1.9)? What happened after Jesus went there? Read Psalms 47, 110, and 45. What in heaven is Jesus now doing on earth? Lord, I know You are exalted in glory, and one day I will be with You there. But for today…

5.  Jesus said His disciples would “seek” Him. What do you suppose He meant by that? After the events of Friday-Sunday, and for forty days after that (Acts 1), though they could not come with Him, yet they did seek Him. How? In what ways? By what means? What does it mean for us to seek the Lord today (cf. Col. 3.1-3)? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“By saying that they could not come where he goes, he means that they still cannot face death like him. In fact, they all run away. And even Simon denied him. But he added ‘now’ to declare that afterward they would disregard sufferings and trials. Indeed, after the descent of the Holy Spirit they even enjoyed suffering for Christ since they were fully confirmed in faith in him and in the promise of future things. Therefore, he says, even though you are led by love to look for me—I know that you do this because of your love for me—nevertheless you cannot prove now your love with your works since your natural weakness inspires you with fear. Therefore things are going to happen [now] that cannot happen in a different way.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (35-428 AD)

Now we can go where Jesus has gone, but it is a life-long journey, and there is much to do along the way. How can we overcome the fears, doubts, and uncertainties that appear in our path as we follow Jesus?

Closing Prayer
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the LORD,
That will I seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD
All the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD,
And to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27.1-4

Psalm 27.1-6 (Joanna: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Lord, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
No harm shall confound us when on You we call.

One thing we request, but to dwell with You, Lord.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!

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.