Book of John 14:1-8; March 26, 2022

Book of John 14:1-8                     March 26, 2022 

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.  The promise of the Holy Spirit. 

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 

A command to calm the troubled heart 

·      Jesus is comforting His disciples in this personal instruction about what is going to happen to him. 

·      Jesus had reason to be troubled. 

·      He will be betrayed by a traitor with a kiss, the illegal trails, scourging and the cross, all would deny Him, and would leave Him. 

·      Jesus shows his love for them and does not think of himself.

·      Jesus does not ask for comfort, but he gives it to them he knows what is going to happen. 

Luke 24:38 But Jesus told them, "What's frightening you? And why are you doubting? 

The simple but profound solution to all of our problems is believing. We do what we do because we believe what we believe. 

Our actions are nothing more than the product of our deepest convictions. The key is what we believe—the object of our faith. 

The entire chapter 14, Jesus explains and gives truth what is God is like, Father and Son, to believe in both.  

We who believes in God who believes in Christ, and there is no other way to strengthen and encourage our minds during the greatest distresses in our lives. 

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. "Never be afraid of their threats, and never get upset. 

The disciples began to lose all hope of a secular kingdom, and were discouraged because it was not going to happen: Christ promises them a spiritual and heavenly inheritance, and thus lifts up their hearts. 

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus, the Messiah himself, and may God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope,  (17)  encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good action and word. 

Believe in God, believe also in me.  Did Jesus meant this as a command or an instruction to the disciples 

Instead of giving into a troubled heart, Jesus told them to firmly put their trust in God and in Jesus Himself. 

This was a radical call to trust in Jesus just as one would trust in God the Father, and a radical promise that doing so would bring comfort and peace to a troubled heart 

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 

What does Jesus say now are reasons for calming the trouble heart

A future reunion in the Fathers house 

John 14:2 There are many rooms in my Father's house. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going away to prepare a place for you? 

Everybody has a longing for a permanent, secure place. Such places have already been set aside for all of God’s children. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare our place.  

If the separation was to be an eternal one, he would have forewarned them. Rather, he goes before to prepare a home for them where they can all be together. Jesus would not deceive us and says there is room for all of us. 

1 Peter 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! Because of his great mercy he has granted us a new birth, resulting in an immortal hope through the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, from the dead  (4)  and to an inheritance kept in heaven for you that can't be destroyed, corrupted, or changed. 

John 14:3 And if I am going away to prepare a place for you, I will come back again and welcome you into my presence, so that you may be where I am. 

The reference is not to Christ's return from the grave, but to a return from heaven, the second coming of the Lord to the earth, which is a part of the Christian faith.  

Jesus will have our place done when He returns to the earth. 

The ‘if’ does not here imply doubt any more than ‘when’ would have done: but we have ‘if’ and not ‘when’ because it is the result of the departure and not the date of it that is emphasized 

Philippians 1:6 I am convinced of this, that the one who began a good action among you will bring it to completion by the Day of the Messiah Jesus. 

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For we declare to you what the Lord has told us to say: We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have died. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first. 

1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  (18)  So then, encourage one another with these words. 

John 14:4 You know where I am going, and you know the way." 

Jesus alone is the way to true and everlasting life, for it is he in whom the Father has revealed himself. 

Jesus had so often told them that he was to die, and rise, and ascend to heaven, but they could not but understand it. 

Jesus have told you this so often and so plainly that ye must certainly have comprehended what I have said 

Luke 9:22 He said, "The Son of Man must suffer a great deal and be rejected by the elders, the high priests, and the scribes. Then he must be killed, but on the third day he will be raised." 

John 14:5 Thomas asked him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 

Thomas shows is a leader of the disciples, said “we” we don't know where you are going.  

Thomas should be praised for honestly and clearly explaining his confusion. 

Interesting, Jesus had just said He was going to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them {v. 2} and they knew the way there {v. 4}. 

There must be something else going on here 

Though Jesus had so often told them of his approaching death and resurrection, yet it seems they did not understand him, nor did they fully comprehend him until after his resurrection 

John 11:16 Then Thomas, who was called the Twin, told his fellow disciples, "Let's go, too, so that we may die with him!" 

John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Jesus makes this remarkable statement, claiming that He was the only way to God.

In this He set aside the temple and its rituals, as well as other religions.

It was a claim for Jesus to have an exclusive way, truth, and life - the only pathway to God the Father, the true God in heaven.

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus is the way to the Father. He is also the truth and the life. 

·      As truth, He is the revelation of God.

·      As life, He is the communication of God to us. 

The way: He is not just a person who shows the way, but He, personally, is the way. 

No church or ceremony can bring you to God.

Only Christ can bring you to God. He is the way. 

Isaiah 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 

With the Lord Jesus saying this, there is NO other religion a person can be saved without Jesus.  

That leaves only Christianity and Jesus made a dead-end street of all the cults and “isms.” Jesus says the only way to God is through Him. 

Not only can no one enter the Father's house without him, but no man can come to the Father on earth so as to enjoy his favor. "There is no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved. 

Acts 4:12 There is no salvation by anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved." 

This saying shows unto us the nature, the will, and office of Lord Jesus. 

We just read John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

The truth: Jesus isn’t saying that He tells the truth, although He does do that. 

He is the truth! He is the standards for truth. 

Not only can no one enter the Father's house without him, but no man can come to the Father on earth so as to enjoy his favor. "There is no other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved. 

This makes any religion not solely declaring Jesus, a false religion of Satan. 

Except for the Jewish religion, they have a special relationship with the Lord Jesus without their real understanding. 

Interesting, this is very controversial among other religions, even individuals say this isn’t fair for God to make only one way.  This is a consistent theme in the Bible.  10 Commandments. 

Christ is the Only Way: 

1. By his doctrine 

John 6:68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

2. By his example 

1 Peter 2:21 This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because: The Messiah also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps. 

3. By his sacrifice 

Romans 5:9-10 Now that we have been justified by his blood, how much more will we be saved from wrath through him!  (10)  For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life! 

4. By his Spirit 

John 16:13 Yet when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own accord, but will speak whatever he hears and will declare to you the things that are to come. 

He is the Truth: 

1. In opposition to all false religions.

2. To the Mosaic law, which was only the shadow, not the truth or substance, of the good things which were to come. And

3. In respect to all the promises of God 

2 Corinthians 1:20 For all God's promises are "Yes" in him. And so through him we can say "Amen," to the glory of God. 

John 14:7 If you have known me, you will also know my Father. From now on you know him and have seen him." 

Jesus came to reveal the Father 

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God. The unique God, who is close to the Father's side, has revealed him.

To know Jesus is to know the Father 

1 John 2:23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. The person who acknowledges the Son also has the Father. 

Show us the Father: Jesus had just said that to see Him is to see the Father. 

The great truth declared is that the way to study God and know him is to know Christ.  This is why I like to learn and know the Lord Jesus 

Show us the Father 

John 14:8 Philip told him, "Lord, show us the Father, and that will satisfy us." 

Yet Philip asked to see the Father. Like Thomas, Philip seems to have been slow to comprehend, as the rest of the disciples.

The demand of Philip was similar to that made by Moses, Moses wished to see the glory of God. 

Exodus 33:18 Then Moses said, "Please show me your glory." 

It is impossible to escape the claim Jesus was making. Clearly, He was claiming to be God and the everlasting God. 

Our human mind is stretched beyond its limits in trying to cope with the idea that the Creator of the universe and one of his creations, a human being named Jesus, are the same and to be identified with the Father. 

Now on – from this time onward, disciples kind of understood, what Lord Jesus said.  The disciples begin to recognize the Father in Lord Jesus.

Do you really believe in the deepest part of your heart.

As the prior disciples left Jesus, this is also a very hard saying, 

Acts 4:12 There is no salvation by anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved."

Satan we know is the god of this world and have blinded the minds of all unbelievers and transmits moods, feeling through the air.   

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

Revelation 17:14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." 

Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 

It is not good to be in fellowship with other religions, like a national day of all religions coming together for prayer. 

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 

2 Corinthians 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 

2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 

Is an unbeliever an unclean thing? 

2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 

2 Corinthians 6:18 And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Book of John 13:27-38

 

Book of John 13:27-38                          March 19, 2022 

The Upper Room Discourse

Jesus is Alone with His own. He was facing His sacrificial death, yet His concern was for His disciples! 

We left off, Jesus just told the disciples one of you is going to betray me.

The disciples began to be very sad and asked him, one after the other, all the disciples ask this "Surely I am not the one, am I?" 

John then whispers or in low tone, asked in Jesus ear on who is going to betray him 

Jesus answered, "He is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish." Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, 

John 13:27 After he had taken the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus told him, "Do quickly what you are going to do!" 

·      Who is really controlling the timing when this is going to happen?

·      This was not Pharisee and Judas plan to turn Jesus over to them!

·      Not on a primary Jewish holiday, for fear of the Romans.

·      The “unpardonable sin” from the Romans’ point of view is an uprising of any kind:

·      keeping the order was their assignment and they took it seriously. 

Was Satan in the room with the disciples.

It is probable that the rest of the disciples considered it as given to Judas that he might hurry to do some work on which he wished to employ him, and not wait to finish his supper in a regular manner.

They did not hear the question that John asked, nor our Lord’s answer; but they no doubt heard the words,

That you do quickly - and might understand them as above.

Satan entered into him. He gave himself up at once to Satan's purpose.

That do it quickly. Judas understood what these words meant, but no one else. 

John 13:28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 

The whole company of disciples did not understand this. Christ had addressed His statement about the bread to John and consequently, he was the only one who understood its implications, that Judas should betray Jesus. 

This verse shows that Jesus had signified to John only who it was that should betray him 

John saw him dip a piece of bread into the sop of bitter herbs, always on the Passover table, and give it to Judas, and Judas understood what these words meant. 

Psalms 41:9 Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. 

John 13:29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 

John 13:30 So Judas took the piece of bread, immediately went outside, and it was night. 

Not only did Judas go out into the darkness of the night, he had also entered into spiritual darkness, separated from Jesus, the Light of the World 

Judas was indeed in spiritual darkness 

A New Commandment 

John 13:31 After Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "The Son of Man is now glorified, and God has been glorified by him. 

This is different, Jesus said when Judas left and gone out by his own will, 

Jesus is now glorified because his human side.  Son of Man.  

The last deed is done that was necessary to secure the death of the Son of man, the glory that shall result to him from that death, 

Son of man glorified — These remarkable words plainly imply that up to this moment Jesus had spoken under a painful restraint, 

The presence of a traitor within the disciples preventing the free and full outpouring of His heart;

Jesus now starts heartful comments, a greater freedom of conversation to the disciples. 

Jesus would be revealed as the divine Son of God and Savior of the world by His death and resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The Father would be glorified in Him in that God’s love, truth, and righteousness would be revealed in what Jesus was doing. 

John 13:32 If God has been glorified by him, God himself also will glorify the Son of Man, and he will do so quickly. 

God will do very quickly, he will not leave him in the grave, nor suffer him to see corruption; he will raise him again the third day, and give him glory. 

This begins the “Upper Room Instruction” 

John 13:33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, but what I told the Jews I now tell you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' 

The time had come for Jesus to announce His departure to His disciples. 

Little children is an expression of tender affection used nowhere else in the Gospels.

John did not forget the expression; he used it repeatedly in 1 John. 

9 verses in 1 John 

1 John 3:7 Little children, don't let anyone deceive you. The person who practices righteousness is righteous, just as the Messiah is righteous. 

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

The command to love was new because Jesus gave it a new standard. 

Moses said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” 

Leviticus 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. 

Jesus said the new standard was as I have loved you. Jesus gave His disciples the example of love that they were to follow 

How is this different, Leviticus says “as yourself”.  

We suppose that Jesus's way of loving can be ours. Humanly, this is impossible. But Jesus gives us a new nature, a new spirit, God's Holy Spirit, in us.  This is how we can love as God loves; God makes it possible. 

John 13:35 This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." 

Unbelievers recognize Jesus’ disciples not by their doctrinal distinctives, nor by dramatic miracles, nor even by their love for the lost. 

They recognize His disciples by their deeds of love for one another. 

The love and self-sacrifice of Christians has done more to extend the name of Christ than argument 

1 Thessalonians 1:3 In the presence of our God and Father, we constantly remember how your faith is active, your love is hard at work, and your hope in our Lord Jesus the Messiah is enduring. 

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial 

Matthew 26:31-32 Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'  (32)  But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 

Zechariah 13:7 "Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones. 

Matthew 26:33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 

Matthew 26:34-35 "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  (35)  But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. 

John 13:36 Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered him, "I am going where you cannot follow me now, though you will follow me later on." 

This question, which Jesus had already addressed twice before, indicates that Peter completely missed the point of what Jesus had said. {have love for one another} 

It leads to the next question of which we are all will ask — Why 

John 13:37 "Lord, why can't I follow you now?" Peter asked him. "I would lay down my life for you!" 

John 13:38 Jesus answered him, "Would you lay down your life for me? Truly, I tell you with certainty, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times." 

At these words of Jesus, Peter was stunned and said nothing. 

But Luke helps us to know that Christ had prepared him for this shocking news. 

Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat,  (32)  but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers." 

Jesus tells Peter will recover. 

Notice, Peter was ready to die for Jesus. Unfortunately, he was not ready, at this point, to live for Him. 

·                He was ready to attack the soldiers with his sword,

·                But he was not willing to wash the feet of his brothers as Jesus had just done. 

·                Peter had things backwards.  He was a man of action, wrong sometimes, but a strong, fisherman strong, man. 

Luke 22:35-36 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?" "Nothing," they answered.  (36)  He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 

Luke 22:37 It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." 

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Luke 22:38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That's enough!" he replied. 

This finished the upper room personal message to the disciples 

Luke 22:39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.

 

 

 

Book of John 13:11-26

 Book of John 13:11-26                                           March 12, 2022 

The Upper Room Discourse {John 13-14}

Jesus is Alone with His own. He was facing sacrificial death, yet His concern was for His disciples! 

Jesus just finishes washing the feet of the disciples, including Judas. 

John 13:11 For he knew who was going to betray him. That's why he said, "Not all of you are clean." 

This is the second indication of the presence of a traitor among the apostles, after Jesus told them, after many people 

John 6:70 Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!"  

John 6:64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For

Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.  {Beginning - applications of order, time, place or rank): - beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule. 

{then many turned back and no longer follow him} 

Apparently, this comment again did not attract much attention among the disciples.  Betray Jesus.  

John 13:12 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer robe, he sat down again and told them, "Do you realize what I have done to you? 

·      The disciples know what Jesus did by washing their feet, but did they understand the meaning behind it.

·      Jesus just got the attention of the disciples. 

John 13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right because that is what I am. 

·      Jesus just confirm that He is the Teacher {or Master} and Lord

·      Jesus is telling the disciples you will follow my example of humility, self-sacrifice, and service to others, as Jesus is a servant to others.

·      Instead of seeking who is the greatest among you, disputing concerning the seats of honor, and shrinking from humble service to each other,

·      yes, you should follow my example 

John 13:14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you must also wash one another's feet.  

Notice, the order of titles is reversed, to give emphasis to the one with this deeper meaning.  

·      Jesus gave a command {means under obligation – ought, must, should} to His disciples and to wash one another’s feet. 

·      A ritual of foot washing was established.

·      Many churches believe this is a spiritual example, not a physical action, they believe they do not have to do, today. 

This is Jesus’ “organization chart”:  rather than from “top down” it goes from “the bottom up” as enabling rather than supervisory 

John 13:15 I have set an example for you, so that you may do as I have done to you. 

1 Timothy 5:10 She must be well known for her good actions as a woman who has raised children, welcomed strangers, washed the saints' feet, helped the suffering, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. 

·      Churches are saying this is an example we should follow in attitude only, but not a church ordinance. 

·      They says we do not have to do the Foot Washing or even at Passover. 

·      Only place mention in New Testament. 

John 13:16 Truly, I say to you with certainty, a servant {disciples} is not greater than his master {Jesus}, and a messenger is not greater than the one {Father} who sent him. 

The servant is not greater than his lord. This saying occurs four times in the Gospels, 

1. To shew that the disciples must expect no better treatment than their Master 

Matthew 10:24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, and a slave is not above his master. 

2. To impress the Apostles with their responsibilities as teachers, for their disciples will be as they are 

Luke 6:40 A disciple is not better than his teacher. But everyone who is fully-trained will be like his teacher. 

3. Here:  We read already  John 13:16 Truly, I say to you with certainty, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. 

4. With the same purpose as in Mat 10:24, but on another occasion 

John 15:20 Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 

This must have been one Jesus’s frequent sayings: it is introduced here with the double ‘verily’ as of special importance 

1 Samuel 8:7 The LORD told Samuel, "Listen to the people in all that they say to you. In fact, it's not you they have rejected, but rather they have rejected me from being their king. 

John 13:17 If you understand these things, how blessed you are if you put them into practice! 

All these churches that are against doing the foot washing service or at Passover, are not blessed because they are not doing it. 

·      The person who practices these things will be blessed. 

·      We will find happiness/joy in behaving accordingly. 

·      True happiness consists in the knowledge of God, and in obedience to him.  Judas is a traitor and not included in the blessing. 

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commands; 

John 13:18 I'm not talking about all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But the Scripture must be fulfilled: 'The one who ate bread with me has turned against me.' 

Typically, they were reclining on mats around a 12-inch-high table. John, to his right; Judas to his left, the place reserved for an honored guest. 

Psalms 41:9 As for my best friend, the one in whom I trusted, the one who ate my bread, even he has insulted me! 

·      This explains the action of Judas.  Judas best friend with Jesus.

·      He was eating with the disciples, but he was ready to strike.

·      Judas was added to the disciples, by no accident or mistake,

·      who is none of Mine, but just that he might fulfil his predicted destiny 

John 13:19 I'm telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM. 

Jesus is about to be betrayed.  I AM statement: that Jesus is the Messiah. 

John 4:25-26 The woman told him, "I know that the Anointed One is coming, who is being called 'Messiah'. When that person comes, he will explain everything."  (26)  "I am he," Jesus replied, "the one who is speaking to you." 

·      Jesus told the disciples, when it came to pass when they deeply needed such confirmation. 

·      The success of such treason might have shaken the disciples faith had it taken them unawares: by foretelling it He turns it into an aid to faith. 

John 13:20 Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, the one who receives whomever I send receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me." 

·                            Jesus will send the disciples in my name to preach the Gospel;

·                            you are my ambassadors, and you will be received by many; and

·                            which I shall regard and take notice of it. 

·                            If the people receive you, they receive Jesus and in turn will receive the Father. 

Matthew 10:40 "The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me. 

·                            Lord Jesus spoke this to comfort his disciples:

·                            he showed them that, although they should be rejected by many,

·                            they would be received by several; and that

·                            whoever received them will also be receive by the Father. 

One of You Will Betray Me 

John 13:21 After saying this, Jesus was deeply troubled in spirit and declared solemnly, "Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, one of you is going to betray me!" 

·                            Think about this for a minute:  Judas, a professed friend, was about to betray him. 

·                            Jesus will therefore speak it out in terms not to be misunderstood.

·                            But how much it cost Him to do this, appears from the “trouble” that came over His “spirit” - visible emotion, no doubt - before He was able to say it. 

John 13:22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 

The disciples had no idea that Judas was the one who would betray Jesus. Matthew and Mark record that each of them began to ask, “Is it I?” 

·                            Interesting, we know the disciples were exceeding sorrowful 

Matthew 26:22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely you don't mean me, Lord?" 

·                            The disciples began to ask among themselves which of them it was that should do this thing  

Luke 22:23 They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this. 

·                            The disciples really had no idea who it was, no indication of outward general conduct, suspicion, who it could be.

·                            Interesting again, the disciples neither doubt the statement from Jesus and they ask, is it I, really not knowing what they should say, because they were at a loss.   

John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 

This is a reference to John, who never names himself. 

·      At this time people did not generally sit at a table to eat.

·      They reclined on the left side of a low platform, resting on the left elbow and eating with the right hand, their feet extended outward.

·      Reclining in such a way, a man’s head was near the bosom of the person on his left 

The Jews had adopted the Persian, Greek, and Roman custom of reclining at meals. 

John 13:24 So Simon Peter motioned to this disciples to ask Jesus about whom he was speaking. 

·      This shows Peter was not sitting next to Jesus.

·      Jesus was nearer to John, so he asks John to ask Jesus who was going to betray Him 

John 13:25 Leaning forward on Jesus' chest, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 

So, John whispers or in low tone, asked in Jesus ear on who is going to betray him 

Notice 

John 13:26 Jesus answered, "He is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish." Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 

The Lord makes Judas His guest of honor by this gesture on the opposite side from John. 

·      Notice, Jesus answered John by whispering on who will betray him by his action,

·      for if Jesus had spoken out, the rest could not have been so ignorant about Christ,

·      I say, whispered to John, and told him by what sign he might know the person, and that it was he,. 

·      Then Jesus gave a piece of the bread soaked in the wine or the sauce of the dish to Judas;  

Matthew 26:25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely you don't mean me, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "You have said so." 

·      Thus the sign of Judas treason is now open to the disciples.