April 17, 2020
How Will They Know You? God's Way, Of Course!
John 13:21-38
Brian Murray
Central Truth
As God's people, we are called to love each other the way Christ loved us. Even though this isn't always easy, Jesus provides the way and the example of how believers are to love.
Key Verse | John 13:34-35
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.
John 13:21-38
One of You Will Betray Me
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 1 13:23 Greek in the bosom of Jesus 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus 2 13:24 Greek lacks Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 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. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 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. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
A New Commandment
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 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.’ 34 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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
36 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.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 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.
Dive Deeper | John 13:21-38
There is a lot that can be unpacked in this portion of Scripture, but I want to focus on the last part where Jesus gives a commandment to His disciples. Soon Jesus will leave them, and He desires to give them a special command. As followers of Jesus, we all should adhere to it: Love one another as Christ has loved us. He has not given this task as a rule to follow but as a truth. In our imperfection, we are to love others in their imperfections. This is more amazing in the fact that Christ is perfect but chooses to demonstrate His amazing for love for us as is reflected in Romans 5:8.
This is a difficult ask, if we are honest; and you have probably experienced this in your own life with other believers—especially if you have been placed in a group that meets daily to encourage each other in godliness. Throughout my time here at Watermark, I can assure you I have not been the easiest person to love, but I'm so grateful for those men in my group who have chosen to pursue me and model what it looks like to be obedient in their love for me.
Living out the unconditional love as described in this passage is so important. It's a small reflection of the infinite love God has for us, since in His very nature, He is love (1 John 4:8). It reminds us where our real value lies and the great treasure we have in Christ that supersedes anything else this life can provide. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, Paul described this love, and throughout Jesus' life He modeled it for us.
As a supplement to this concept, I encourage you to look up the definition of agape love and study its origins and meaning as it relates to today's passage.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you name a time when it was difficult to show love toward another person?
2. What are some specific things about others that make loving them this way harder? Pray through that and ask the Lord to provide you strength to move beyond your own ideas of what may be lovable and worthy of love.
3. What believers in your life have modeled this for you? How has receiving this love made you feel? Did it help you see Jesus' love for you clearer?