The Beginning of the End

I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn’t consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day?

Sure I’m lucky.

Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy?

Sure I’m lucky.

When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that’s something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies -- that’s something.

When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter -- that’s something.

When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body -- it’s a blessing.

When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed -- that’s the finest I know.

So, I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for.

Two weeks earlier, news broke that Lou Gehrig retired from baseball because he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS - a debilitating disease that eventually became nick named “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”

Just under two years later, Lou died at the age of 37.

There are various times and places when people get a sense that their end is near, that it’s time to sign off and say “farewell.”

Today, as we continue our look at the book of John we are crossing over into what some people refer to as the “Farewell Discourse.” Some people see chapters 13-17 as one discourse, and others as two. However we view it, it’s the beginning of the end. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure and for their ongoing mission.

If you have your bibles, open them to John 13. We’ll pick up where we left off last week in verse 18.

As Jesus transitions from washing his disciples feet into a more intimate time of instruction and encouragement, he makes 3 predictions, illustrates 2 outcomes, and issues 1 new command for his disciples.

Let’s begin with Jesus’...

3 Predictions

In these predictions, Jesus prepares his disciples for what is coming.

Jesus begins with...

Judas’ Betrayal (13:18-30)

After washing their feet and challenging his disciples to follow his example, Jesus makes a startling statement:

John 13:18 ESV

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’

This element of God’s work in our lives can be challenging to consider - there are some who are chosen, and some who are not. The is God’s sovereign will. While Jesus did gather all twelve disciples, he acknowledges that not all of them are truly his - one is playing a game.

He tells them this in order to connect some biblical dots for them. Jesus quotes from Psalm 41:9 “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” and claims that this pending betrayal is a fulfillment of this prophecy. Now, the entire Psalm is not a prophetic Psalm - but this verse seems to apply to Jesus’ life.

But there is another biblical dot that Jesus is connecting with this prediction - proves to followers that Jesus is “I Am” or that “I Am He.”

John 13:19–20 ESV

I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

There is a great deal of significance with the use of the words “I am.” In many ways, the Greek pair of words would be used just like our us of the words “I am.” But the “I am he” at the end of verse 19 can also be taken another way. God used very similar Hebrew words to refer to himself in Exodus 3:14.

Exodus 3:14 ESV

God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”

The prophet Isaiah recorded similar words from God.

Isaiah 41:4 ESV

Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.

and

Isaiah 43:10 ESV

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.

So Jesus, in giving this prediction of betrayal, is helping the disciples understand that scripture - which is inspired by God, is fulfilled in Him - the Emmanuel - God with us. He, like God the Father, is “I AM.”

But notice, in order for his word to be confirmed, something else must happen - a betrayal.

So John continues the narration:

John 13:21–30 ESV

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

While Jesus is God, the I AM, the Messiah - he is not devoid of emotion. His heart is troubled or heavy because of what is about to take place.

But Jesus seems to quietly and subtly reveal that Judas is the one who will betray him. He is the one who has been with him for a couple of years - a friend. He is among those who have eaten bread with Jesus on multiple occasions. but he is also the one who would “lift up his heel” against Jesus.

John 18:1-14 reveals the manifestation of Judas’ betrayal as Jesus is arrested. The other gospel writers tell us a bit more about Judas going to the religious leaders and being paid 30 pieces of silver in order to turn Jesus over to them (Mt. 26:15).

The disciples would only need to wait a couple of hours until Jesus words here would be fulfilled.

So Jesus predicted a betrayal. The second prediction is...

Jesus’ Departure (13:33)

John 13:33 ESV

Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

At this point, Judas has gone out and Jesus is just talking with his true followers - 11 of the 12. He is essentially communicating that...

He is going, but will return - This may be a prediction of his death and resurrection, possibly the second coming - that is unclear. Jesus clearly wants to prepare his disciples for his departure. We saw a few weeks ago that some were expecting the Messiah to reign forever (John 12:34). He didn’t come this time as a political leader - he came as a redeemer.

He is unclear about the nature of what he will be doing - or what will happen to him. John has given us indications before that Jesus would be “lifted up” - a polite way of saying “crucified.” (John 3:14; 12:32-33). It seems Jesus is keeping this a bit vague so that the disciples will not try to thwart God’s plans.

The third prediction that Jesus makes revolves around...

Peter’s Denial (13:36-38)

Whereas Judas will betray Jesus - an act of treason that will send Jesus to the cross, Peter, who has a propensity of speaking before he thinks, ends up denying Jesus in an act of cowardess.

John 13:36–38 ESV

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Again, Jesus gives some very specific markers and a clear timeline. John 18:15-18 reveals the first time that Peter denies him. John 18:25-27 reveal the second and third time that Peter denies Jesus:

John 18:25–27 ESV

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Let’s draw a couple of points of application from these three predictions.

Read the whole counsel of God’s Word. Jesus pulled a few threads together in order to help his disciples understand what was happening. He brought in some OT references and verbal cues to tie in the present and the near future. As we read the Word of God, it’s important that we read the Whole Word - not just the parts we like - not just the parts we easily understand. In my own Bible reading, I just finished the book of Jeremiah. There are some very difficult things for us to understand in there. Jeremiah was speaking hard truths to a rebellious people - and yet those are truths that each of us need to hear. I think in our reading too, if your bible has cross references - check those out from time to time. Look at some of the OT and NT references that are drawing things together. This helps us to see and understand the Word as a whole - a complete unit - and not just Jewish scriptures and Christian scriptures. Ultimately, it all points to Jesus.

We should be careful in our boasting - Peter was bold and confident in the crowd of friends, but timid when conflict came. When we tout our strengths, it’s likely better to be understated rather than overcommitting to something that we can’t follow through with.

We gracious in our restoration of others - Later on, Jesus restores Peter graciously and lovingly. You can read about it in John 21:15-19. It’s easy to right people off after one mistake or short coming. Jesus shows us that even Peter’s denial wasn’t enough to keep him from being useful for the kingdom. It’s easy for us to look at others with judgment and condemnation - and yet fail to realize that we could be in their very position - eating humble pie.

So Jesus made these three accurate predictions. The next thing we see in this passage is that Jesus illustrates...

2 Outcomes (13:31-32)

Whether it’s through the betrayal and denial or through his departure, Jesus reveals that both He and the Father are glorified and glorify each other.

John 13:31–32 ESV

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once.

Notice the circumstances and the language. Right on the heals of Judas’ departure from the room, Jesus seems to talk directly to his chosen few and acknowledges that he is glorified and God is glorified. It’s already happened - and yet the cross is still a day a way and the resurrection is 4 days a way and his ascension is a good 44 days away. How can this be?

lets consider first how…

Jesus glorifies God.

It seems that this happens through his obedience - in the face of all of the conflict, in the reality of Judas’ betrayal and all that would happen in the subsequent hours as a result.

But I think there is also a sense in which Jesus glorifies God because he allows God to work. He doesn’t circumvent the plan of redemption. He has surrendered his life and will to the Father.

How often do we try to short-cut God’s plans? We take justice into our hands and fail to allow God to work in His time and in His ways.

Jesus seems to glorify God because he allows the plan to work.

God glorifies Jesus.

He seems to do this by allowing Jesus to be the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God.

The apostle Paul helps us understand this a bit more.

Galatians 3:13–14 ESV

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

And even as we read last week,

Philippians 2:6–10 ESV

who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

So, there are three predictions, two outcomes, and then finally, we come to...

1 Command (13:34-35)

Which is in many ways where the rubber meets the road for us and all of Jesus’ followers.

John 13:34–35 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

This simple commandment is to...

Love one another

Of course, this love is given an example - as Jesus has loved us. He showed us how to love. He showed us how to love unconditionally. But this raises a couple of questions for me...

why not love the world? - after all - doesn’t Jesus want his followers to make a difference in the world, to draw people to him?

what does this love look like?

Think about the context of this. Judas has just gone out to betray Jesus. In a few hours he would return with a group of soldiers to arrest him. Jesus shows Judas love through it all.

I think part of what Jesus is getting at is that as he is forming his church or assembly among his followers - he is forming a community that’s not marked by politics or wealth or race or ethnicity or social structure - he’s forming a community that is marked by love.

This is a love that forgives, a love that heals, a love that restores, a love that cares.

This is a love that is compelling. A community that is compelling.

Bruce Milne notes (p. 206):

“We note also the power of evangelistic love. A loving community, says Jesus, is the visible authentication of the gospel. Love is the "final apologetic" (Francis Schaeffer).”

When we love the way that Jesus called us too, we visibly verify the reality and presence of the gospel in us.

Milne goes on to note how this love impacted the world of the early church: (p. 207)

“Tertullian reported in the late second century the comment of the pagans in his day: ‘Behold, how these Christians love each other! How ready they are to die for each other!’ Their mutual love was the magnet which drew the pagan multitudes to Christ. It has the potential to do so still.”

So often we hear of conflicts within churches, between churches, among brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes it’s so divisive that it makes the news - and then the watching world observes the infighting and says - “I don’t want any of that.”

But, when we show genuine, unconditional love - we reveal what life in the kingdom should be like.

So, as we think about how we treat one another - can it be called love?

are our words marked by love? - to others, about others

are our actions marked by love?

are our thoughts marked by love?

Or would it be better to say that our words, actions and thoughts are marked by divisiveness, back biting, gossip?

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

He didn’t wait for us to get right. He didn’t wait for us to overcome addiction or understand detailed nuances of theology - Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. That’s love.

May our actions, thoughts, and words toward others create a community that is marked by Jesus kind of love.

We started all of this by talking about Lou Gehrig’s farewell address to baseball. As Jesus opens up his farewell to his disciples - he’s not saying good-bye - as much as he is urging us to carry-on as he did. Jesus left so that we could live in His love in how we love one another - drawing the outside world into that community and into a relationship with Him.

Let me close with an example of this kind of love.

“Mary”

devout Christian, soft spoken, sincere about her faith, unfortunately not able to have children.

husband was not a believer

Mary eventually learned that her husband had been having an affair for more than a decade. He had a child in that relationship.

but he could only keep it secret for so long.

Mary wrestled with what to do. they divorced.

he became sick with a disease that eventually would take his life.

during his treatment, Mary continued to care for him. She visited him in the hospital and nursing home. Even at times right along side the other woman. She actually came to saw that woman as a friend.

Mary demonstrated the love of Christ through betrayal. God was honored in her. She made an impact for the Kingdom in the lives of her husband, his mistress, and their child. What a way to carry on.

Let’s pray.

Benediction

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Sources:

https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/lougehrigfarewelltobaseball.htm

Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993

Neusner, Jacob. The Mishnah : A New Translation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1988.

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