Jesus - Drew Boswell

“Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life” John 11:1-45

Death Defeated

A Two-Part Easter Sermon Series

“Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life”

John 11:1-45

Introduction

“John 11 begins the last section of John’s Gospel before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem. It was an interlude from his public affairs and form his increasing conflict with the religious leaders. It was also a time of ministry to those closest to him, as Jesus sought to strengthen the faith of his friends and disciples before taking up the cross.”[1]

Prayer

Jesus Delays (vv. 1-16)

Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” 8 The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” 9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” 12 The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. 14 Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, 15 and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

In the opening verses of chapter 11 John is letting us know who exactly he is describing. He looking back over all the years of Jesus’ ministry and John’s experience and it was the same Mary who later in the timeline will wipe Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair.

(v. 4) tells us why this account has been placed in the gospel, “so that the Son of God may be glorified through it,” – How is Jesus going to be glorified through what has happened to Lazarus and his illness?

Jesus is two miles away, less than a thirty-minute walk – why did it take him four days to get there? “So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” The sisters Mary and Martha expected Jesus to come right away – but he intentionally delayed. The text doesn’t even say he was doing anything that would have caused a delay (like Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; and Luke 8:43-48).

But so that we would know that he wasn’t being callous toward their request, we are told, that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus knew that Jesus loved them because they said, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” And John again tells us, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus,” – He loved them, and yet He clearly had, multiple times, shown he could heal Lazarus (even from a distance, and not even be present). Why is Lazarus dead? Why would Jesus let someone he loved die?

Was it because He was afraid? Just a few days before John 10:30-31 tells us that because of Jesus’ claim of divinity the Jewish people wanted to stone him, “I and the Father are one.” 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.” They managed to escape, and now He says, “Let us go to Judea again.” So, he does not seem to be fearful. He talks about going during the daytime, he does not arrive at dark. Jesus has easily escaped as people wanted to stone him, throw him off a cliff, and try to trap him in arguments.

So, he did not delay because He was unable to heal Lazarus. He did not delay because he was scared of being stoned. And He did not delay because he was uncaring or callous toward this family. Jesus delayed because he loved Lazarus.

Genuine love is doing what is best for the other person.

But how is delaying and allowing Lazarus to die, what is best?

There are clues that Jesus gives to the disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep,” – death, in the OT and the NT is referred to as sleep.[2] Sleep does not harm us. It is similar to Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” When you see the shadow of something, you may fear what casts the shadow – but the shadow of something can’t hurt you. For those who place their faith in Jesus, death can only touch you as sleep or shadow. Paul later asks, “death where is your sting?” The sting of death has been removed by what Jesus is about to do.

Martha’s Response to Jesus’ Delay (vv. 17-27)

17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Martha went to meet Jesus, the delay had lasted four days and she wanted to know, “why have you waited so long?” But there is still something she needs to know about Jesus. She says, “whatever you ask from God, God will give you,” Jesus is God – He is the author of creation, All life comes from Him, “I am the resurrection and the life.”

He creates it, gives it, sustains it, and at death will resurrect it. Jesus has complete control of life. The beginning of the gospel of John 1:1-4 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Death is the result of the fall of mankind, and our sin, “the penalty of sin is death.” The only way to be free from death is to be brought back to life. We are “dead in our trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1).” Jesus is explaining to Martha, that He is the way to be brought back to life again.

Not at some future last day – but now. Death can move from being our greatest enemy to being a shadow or sleep unable to harm us. So Jesus says, “I am the resurrection.” But how does Jesus, being the resurrection, bring us back to life? Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,”

The reason God gave us this account is so that we may know and believe in Jesus. John 20:31 “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Apart from Jesus there is no life, only death. Martha says, “Yes, Lord; I believe . . .”

Mary’s Response to Jesus’ Delay (vv. 28-37)

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. 36 So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

If Martha is the thinker and doer (Luke 10:38-42), then Mary is the emotion and the heart. Both sisters say the exact same thing, but Jesus responds to them differently. One needed to know and understand. The other needed for Jesus to weep with her – to feel this moment with her.

Both sisters would have waited at the window look into the horizon, “when is He coming?” Why isn’t he here by now? Every time we see Mary, she is close to Jesus. When Martha complained about Mary not helping her because of guests in their house[3], Mary is at Jesus’ feet – listening to His teaching. When Jesus calls for her (here), she immediately and quickly went to him, and when she arrives, “she fell at his feet”

All those times of sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening and learning led her to understand something none of the other disciples understood. John mentions (v. 2) “It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair,” In John 12 at a dinner party Mary breaks an expensive glass vile of perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet and wipes it with her hair. She anoints his body for death 12:7 “Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.” She will be the only one to understand that Jesus must die for the sin of the world. So, she gave her all because he would give His all.

But at her brother’s grave, she does not want to have a discussion about end times, or theology – her heart is broken. So together for a moment they weep together.

When Jesus arrives and begins to see how death has affected this family, “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled . . . Jesus wept. Jesus is God, who took on human flesh, and he became so human and our sorrows and anguish became His sorrow and anguish. The one true God loves and care for His people.

The word used for Jesus’ weeping here is more in line with sternness and even anger. “It is not just that Jesus was troubled but that he was indignant. Jesus was not merely saddened but outraged at the scene before him”[4] Jesus is with us in our weeping, and he weeps with us – but He stands up to do something about it.

Filled will grief, having the tears still on his face, Jesus asks, “Where have you laid him?” Jesus does not just join the family in mourning – As the author of all creation, as God who has taken on human flesh, He is going to do something about the death that has wrecked this family. He is going to war against death. Death becomes the object of His wrath. What is about to happen is a foretaste of what the deliverance from death that he will give all who believe in Him. He will defeat death.

The Son of Man is Glorified (vv. 38-45)

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

The disciples thought he could heal the sick, stops storms on the ocean, and cast out demons. When they faced the dangerous situation of going back to place of being threatened, (by stoning) they feared for their lives, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

The sisters thought he was able to heal the living – but once a person was dead four days, it was over. What is best for Mary, Martha, Lazarus, the disciples, and everyone that has ever placed their faith in Jesus is that we need to know that He is the resurrection and the life.

So He delays, converses with Martha, weeps with Mary, and yells out Lazarus’ name “come out.” Jesus loves us, so he waited. We had to learn that Jesus is the resurrection. He is more powerful than life itself. God loves us enough to not do what we want him to do, but He does what we need Him to do.

But ultimately all of this is not for Mary, Martha, Lazarus, or the disciples (“so that you may believe.”) It benefited them, but it was not for them. John tells us in the beginning why this took place – “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” “It is the chief end of man to glorify God.”[5] This is the highest and best thing. The best thing is for God to receive glory. V. 45 says, “Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,”

Our ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God.

God used Lazarus’ death to bring others to have faith in Jesus. Are you willing for God to use your life for his glory and the salvation of others? Jesus after enduring the humiliation of Roman garrison, and the incredible pain of the scourging, and the weight of the sin of the world as he hung on the cross, cried out “why have you forsaken me?” But He endured the cross knowing that His death and suffering would lead to the salvation of many. Jesus prayed, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46).

As you sit at your window and wonder, “when is the Lord coming?” Why has he not answered my prayer – know that He loves you, He understands your suffering, and He has a plan to bring God glory through your pain and suffering. “Learn to interpret circumstances by the love of Christ and not Christ’s love by circumstances.”[6]

It is Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life that begins a chain of events that leads to the cross. Next week we will see “that even at the cross, Jesus was not finished (defeating death). For three days after he died, he did something greater than raising Lazarus from the grave. Jesus himself rose from the dead, our sin having been conquered by his blood and death now conquered by the resurrection life he gives to us.”

_______________________

[1] Richard D. Phillips, Reformed Expository Commentary, John Volume 2 (Phillipsburg, New Jersey; P&R Publishing, 2014) 6.

[2] Duet. 31:6; Acts 7:60; 1 Cor. 15:18; Matt. 9:24.

[3] Luke 10:38-42

[4] Phillips, 45.

[5] Phillips, 12.

[6] James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John, Volume 3 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2001) 828.

“Faithful Unto Death” Revelation 2:8-11

VII – Book of Revelation

A Sermon Series

“Faithful Unto Death”

Revelation 2:8-11

Introduction

In the book of Job we find a man who endures great suffering. He loses his children, his house, and his health. He finds himself sitting on an ash heap covered in boils and is absolutely miserable. He is left with a wife that tells him, “Why don’t you curse God and die?” and he has friends who ask him foolish questions and give him bad advice. We are told that in all that he went through he was faithful and loved the Lord – but he was never given an answer for why he had gone through all that he had gone through.

What Job cannot know and cannot see is a reality beyond what he can see and experience. Satan goes to God and they talk about Job – of which Job never knows about. Jesus wants the church to know that there is a reality beyond what can be seen and experienced here, that if we remain faithful, we will receive eternal life. But why things happen here the way they do, we may never know, yet Jesus expects us to remain faithful, even unto death.”

Prayer

Jesus is Bigger Than Death (v. 8)

And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

This is the second letter that is written to the churches in John’s Revelation, and is specifically written to the church in Smyrna. It is the next stop on the route of the seven churches that are mentioned. “If one traveled from Ephesus to Smyrna, he would cover a distance of about thirty-five miles to the north.”[1]

Smyrna was a wealthy seaport city, and is the seat of Roman emperor worship. “Under Emperor Domitian, it became a capital offense to refuse to offer the yearly sacrifice to the emperor.”[2] Every Roman citizen on threat of death, once a year had to burn incense on the alter of the godhead of Caesar, after which he was issued a certificate. You burn a pinch of incense and say, “Caesar is Lord (kyrios).”

Remember, that Jesus is described in the opening verse in such a way that helps us apply the message that is given to the specific church. In v. 8 Jesus is described as “the first and the last,” and the one “who died and came to life.” As the first that ever was and the one who will outlast all that will ever be, Jesus is eternal. “The first and the last” is an OT title for God (Isa. 44:6; 48:12; 41:2). Yet, the eternal one died and came back to life. He has never ceased to be and will never cease to be, yet for a moment He died.We who have not always existed, have been born, and in a moment (like steam) will pass from this earth, and yet remain eternal (either with Christ in eternal life, or in eternal separation from Him, that John will later call “the second death”).

Jesus is Eternal (over time and circumstances)

and the God Who Died and Rose Again (over life and death).

Nothing that is happening is outside of His Plan.

Jesus Knows His People in Their Suffering (v. 9)

⁹“‘I know your tribulation (pressure) and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

For the church at Ephesus, Jesus says that He knows how they have faithfully served, but He told them that they needed to repent of the sin of an unloving heart. Their love for the God and other Christians had grown cold. But there is no reprimand for the church in Smyrna.

Jesus says to the church in Smyrna, “I know . . . ,” This church is facing tribulation, poverty, and slander. When the church faces persecution and tribulation, or when you as a Christian have to endure hardship (specifically because you are a Christian), Jesus is telling you, “I know.”

He doesn’t tell them, that “it’s really not that hard, or that bad,” He doesn’t tell them that “if they had more faith then the situation would be better,” He reminds them that He is God “the first and the last, who died and came to life.,” He has the power over all life and death, and He fully understands their suffering.

The word used for poverty here is the word for abject poverty, “denying even the basics of life.”[3] They were not just poor, they were extremely poor. Probably robbed of their possessions or businesses because of their faith in Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:8b-10 “. . . We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” We may not have what the world counts wealth, we have what is in reality wealth.

(v. 9) Is God being cruel by saying that He knows the hardships they are enduring, “your poverty (but you are rich).” No, He is pointing them to a true reality, an eternal perspective, beyond what is happening to them in the moment. These believers are rich, but not in the way the world views riches.

“Unlike the Nicolaitans (with the church at Ephesus), who endanger Christian faith from within, religious Jews, especially strong in Smyrna, were members of a distinct religious community which persecuted Christians as outsiders.”[4] Also, in the church at Ephesus, they were commended for faithfully withstanding the teachings of so-called/false apostles, the church at Smyrna have so-called/false Jewish followers.

“and the slander[5] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” – These are Jews in name only, “after the flesh and not after the spirit. Rom. 2:28,”[6] but they use that religion to attack and hurt other people, becoming, “a synagogue of Satan.”

“Regardless of their national descent, they had become by their bitter opposition to the church and its message, a synagogue carrying out the activities of God’s supreme adversary, Satan.”[7] The Roman authorities might be the ones carrying out the persecution, but it was in reality Satan, behind the scenes, testing them through imprisonment and tribulation.

“Unbelieving Jews commonly accused Christians of cannibalism (based on a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper), immorality (based on a perversion of the holy kiss with which believers greeted each other,[8] breaking up homes (when one spouse became a Christian and the other did not, it often caused conflict cf. Lk 12L51-53), atheism (because Christians rejected the pagan pantheon of deities), and political disloyalty and rebellion (because Christians refused to offer the required sacrifices to the emperor and talked about “fire from heaven” they were accused of being arsonists (Patterson, 96). Hoping to destroy the Christian faith some of Smyrna’s influential wealthy Jews reported these slanderous allegations to the Romans.”[9] What others are saying has cost them greatly.

“Those Jews who had been guilty of the slanderous accusations against the Christians had not only reject the Jewish Messiah but had also indulged in behavior clearly forbidden by Jewish law in order to guarantee their own physical and financial well-being.”[10]

Jesus Calls His People to Be Faithful unto Death (v. 10)

¹⁰Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days[11] you will have tribulation. Be faithful

unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Jesus tells them that as they are going about being a Christian, doing what Christians do, worshipping how Christians worship, they will be arrested and tested for ten days. “Worse things than poverty and slander are about to come.”[12] Some of them, will die because of the persecution. But, Jesus doesn’t tell them to dial it back a little bit, don’t be quite so dogmatic. Jesus doesn’t tell them to not share their faith, or in any way change what they were doing. Keep being faithful (all the way to the end).

“that you may be tested,” – the suffering they were about to endure (being thrown in prison for 10 days) was being allowed by God so that they would be tested. Jesus’ command was for them “to be faithful.”

Jesus has nothing against this church, “The purifying fires of affliction caused the lamp of testimony to burn all the more brilliantly.”[13] “Hypocrites do not stay to face persecution, because false believers do not want to endure the pain. Trails and persecution strengthen and refine genuine saving faith, but uncover and destroy false faith.”[14]

By this time in church history, “John himself is in exile. Peter and John had often been in prison together. James the brother of John, Paul, and Peter had all suffered martyrdom.”[15]

In this life what are you willing to die for? What we are willing to die for, ultimately shows what is most important to us. We may not live under tyranny but every day you get up and give your life to/toward something.

Jesus Promises His People Life (v. 11)

¹¹He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

“The one who conquers,” points back to the one who remains faithful even unto death. “We need this. Not just because some of us might die as martyrs, but because all of us live.” But which reality do we dedicate our lives to? Jesus says that if we choose to remain faithful – He does not promise a reprieve from the suffering but instead Jesus will be with them during the trial, and will be with them for eternity afterwards.

The promise to the believer is two-fold, “I will give you the crown of life (the victor’s crown),” and “The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Revelation 21:8 explains what the “second death” is, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Those who persevere to the end, will have no part with this lake of fire.

The reward for the faithful believer is eternal life.

“. . .the first death is defined as the separation of the soul from the body, whereas the second death is the separation of the soul from God and its confinement in the place the Bible denominates as hell.”[16]

2 Timothy 4:6-8 are the apostle Paul’s words as he faces the end of his days, and he knows that his end is coming soon, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” The church is not promised ease, fortune, or popularity – It is however, promised the presence of God for those who remain faithful all the way to the end.

“The ‘crown’ usually referred to a garland of flowers worn chiefly in the worship of the pagan gods such as Cybele or Bacchus, who was pictured on coins with a crown of battlements. Faithful servants of the city appeared on coins with laurel wreaths on their heads.”[17] The crown mentioned here is the stephanos, the victor’s crown. It was awarded to the athlete who had won an athletic event. You can be loyal to this world and have your face on coins, and be celebrated by those of this reality – or you await a day when Jesus will give you a crown of righteousness.

Of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, which one would you predict to make it until today? Of the seven, only Smyrna remained. The incredibly poor, greatly persecuted, and slandered group of believers kept pushing on and the current city has about 2/3 population of professing Christians. Rome has long since fallen, but the church still stands strong despite Satan’s best efforts to crush it.

“Gen. William Nelson, a Union general in the Civil War, was consumed with the battles in Kentucky when a brawl ended up in his being shot, mortally, in the chest. He had faced many battles, but the fatal blow came while he was relaxing with his men. As such, he was caught fully unprepared. As men ran up the stairs to help him, the general had just one phrase, “Send for a clergyman; I wish to be baptized.” He never had time as an adolescent or young man. He never had time as a private or after he became a general. And his wound did not stop or slow down the war. Everything around him was left virtually unchanged–except for the general’s priorities. With only minutes left before he entered eternity, the one thing he cared about was preparing for eternity. He wanted to be baptized. Thirty minutes later he was dead.”[18]

Why would God want this church to be so close to death? Because it forces us to ask the questions, of what do we daily give our lives to, and what is truly important in this life.

_____________________

[1] John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1966) 59.

[2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Revelation 1-11 (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Press, 1999) 69.

[3] Paige Patterson, The New American Commentary, Volume 39, Revelation (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman Publishing, 2012) 96.

[4] Robert W. Wall, New International Biblical Commentary, Revelation (Peabody, Massachusetts; Hendrickson Publishing, 1991) 73.

[5] For example, see Acts 18:12-17

[6] R. H. Charles, The International Critical Commentary, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John (Edinburgh, Scotland; T & T Clark Publishing, 1963) 57.

[7] Robert H. Mounce, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1977) 93.

[8] See Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26

[9] MacArthur, 72.

[10] Patterson, 97.

[11] Patterson also suggests that there is some evidence that the 10 days mentioned may be a reference to a 10-day process for gladiatorial games.

[12] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In the New Testament, Volume VI, The General Epistles and The Revelation of John (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1933) 302.

[13] Walvoord, 65.

[14] MacArthur, 68.

[15] Robertson, 302.

[16] Patterson, 99.

[17] Alan F. Johnson, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 12 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Zondervan Publishing House, 1981) 439.

[18] https://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/d/death.htm

“For I Have Given You An Example – Evaluate Your Heart” John 13:2, 21-30

“This Time Next Year” A Sermon Series

“For I Have Given You An Example – Evaluate Your Heart”

John 13:2, 21-30

Big Idea: Helping people to understand the mission of the church takes patience and providing opportunities for a person to change. Jesus gives Judas many opportunities to align with His Messianic mission but Judas wants Jesus to be the Messiah of his own making.

Introduction

Over the course of Jesus’ ministry he tells the disciples that one of them was going to betray him (6:71; 12:4; 13:2). For example John 6:64, 70 takes places after the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus gives a difficult teaching to them, “But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” and v. 70-71, “. . . one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.” Jesus knew and told the disciples a year before the Last Supper betrayal.

Then we get to the Lord’s Supper and he is washing the disciples feet. “2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, — But Jesus washed his feet anyway.

Isaiah 14:12-14 is a description of Satan’s fall, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Satan was destroyed by his pride.

When a man is being considered for ministry, we are warned not to choose a man who is a recent convert, 1 Timothy 3:6 “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” He will fall into the same trap as Satan, he will give over to pride.

The Root of Betrayal is Pride.

Peter and Jesus get into a discussion about washing the whole body, verses just the feet, and Jesus says, vv. 10-11 “And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So let’s look at John 13:18.

The Betrayal Prefaced (vv. 18-20)

18 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.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Context

Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 where it discusses how it feels to have a friend betray you, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” “. . . it seems most likely that the author (David) was referring to Ahithophel, his faithful counselor, who nevertheless sided with Absalom at the time of Absalom’s rebellion, (It is a tragic story as it unfolds in 2 Samuel 15-17).[1] Jesus’ disciples around the table would have been familiar with the story and the direct quote should have been an indication that Jesus was making a point.

The revolt of Absalom had caught David unaware, and he and his mighty men had been forced to flee from Jerusalem. Ahithophel remained behind. When David heard that Ahithophel was with Absalom. David was greatly concerned, for Ahithophel gave wise counsel. David prayed, “O Lord, turn Ahithophel counsel into foolishness” (2 Samuel 15:31).

God answered David’s prayer, not causing Ahithophel to give bad counsel to Absalom, for Ahithophel continued to speak wisely, but by causing his good counsel to be disregarded. The story concludes by saying, “When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for a house in his hometown. He put his house in order, and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s sepulcher” (2 Samuel 17:23). Judas would eventually hang himself.

And it was probably this verse (Psalm 41:9) Jesus is referring to when he said later in v. 26, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” We have shared a meal, he has eaten my bread, and now he will betray me. “it was a gross breach of hospitality to eat bread with any one and then turn against him so.”[2]

Preparation

Another reason as to why he tells the disciples is because they are already confused and concerned at Jesus’ repeated comments of his upcoming abuse by the religious leaders, scourging, and crucifixion. A betrayal of one of the inner circle of 12 would be catastrophic, so he warns them so they can be prepared. It is also one more proof that Jesus was who He said that He was, “that when it does take place you may believe that I am (I AM, Ex. 3:14)” When they look back on all the events, they would know that Jesus was in control at every step – nothing was a surprise for Him, and no one defeated Him. It was all part of God the Father’s plan, and it would be more thing that pointed to Jesus being God.

Jesus was also preparing them (and the eventual church) that there would be people among the group who did not really believe in Jesus – but did what everyone else was doing. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” The disciples will be sent out as representatives of Jesus.

So when they share the message of Jesus (and people accept their account of Jesus), they will by default be accepting Jesus. When people accept Jesus, they are accepting God the Father who sent Him. Judas never received Jesus as the Son of God, — Jesus was not the Messiah that Judas wanted. But also, there will be those in the church who are not truly believers and are there for their own reason.

King David was betrayed by his own son, Jesus was betrayed by his own disciple who had spent three years with him (he saw all the miracles, and heard all the sermon and parables) – we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens in the church or to us as Jesus’ representatives. Amongst a group focused on the mission given to us by Jesus, there may be a betrayer who is focused on their own agenda.

Betrayal is not a surprise, but it hurts every time.

One Last Sign of Love (vv. 21-29)

“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[3], was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask 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.”

When Jesus warned the disciples, he was visibly troubled; the disciples could see on Jesus’ face that he was “troubled in his spirit.” Just because Jesus knew it was coming, and was in control of the situation (He allows it to happen), that does not mean that He is not hurt by the betrayal.

When Jesus tells them, “one of you will betray me.” (v. 22) “The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.” The word for look here means to look in bewilderment. Mark adds in 14:17 “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” They did not immediately say, “oh. Judas obviously.” They had no idea it was Judas. Judas even hides by asking, “Is it I?”

(v. 24) “. . . so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Peter motions to John without speaking, pointing toward Jesus, mouthing, “ask him . . .”

“The host of the feast (whose role is here filled by Jesus) might well dip into a common bowl and pull out a particularly tasty bit and pass it to a guest as a mark of honor or friendship.” “in this bowl was the haroseth, a fruit paste consisting of dates, raisins, and sour wine.”[4] And because of where John is sitting, and how Jesus describes his ability to easily hand the piece of bread with the haroseth on it to Judas leads us to believe that Judas was sitting on the left of Jesus – the place of honor.

Jesus calls Judas to be one of twelve men set aside as his disciple, Jesus allows Judas to have the responsibility of being the treasurer (he held the money bag) – Judas steals money out of the bag, Jesus washes Judas’ feet, he allows him to sit in the place of honor at the table, and he shares the bread in this way indicating honor to him – becoming a final gesture of supreme love.

Judas receives the foot washing, he receives the places of honor, and he took the food offered to him from Jesus, and at that moment, “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.” Why at that moment was Judas’ fate sealed? Judas receives the honor and the food – but not the love behind it. Instead of breaking his heart that Jesus’ love was shown to him again, and again – it did not soften his heart, Judas hardened his resolve. It was this final receiving from Jesus that Judas’ heart was opened to Satan and it sealed his fate.

Judas received everything Jesus gave Him, except His love.

In the other gospels we have Jesus introducing the Lord’s Supper to the 11 disciples – for the church it is a way for them to remember what Jesus has done (His body being broken, and His blood being spilt) for them. The Last Supper connects the church together in mission – we, together, remember what Jesus has done, and how we are sent out to share this gospel with the world.

In John’s account we have Judas sharing the Last Supper with Jesus, where he took the break, but did not share in the mission. He wanted to get from Jesus, but never wanted to be apart of serving others, sacrificing for the sake of other, He did want to do as Jesus commanded. “The sacramental meal became for Judas the means of communion not with Christ but with the devil.”[5]

Jesus gives Judas a choice, “the betrayer knows he is about to be exposed, and is confronted with the starkest choice: rush forward immediately to execute his wretched plot, or renounce his evil and beg forgiveness.”[6] Jesus gives Judas one last chance to turn back, he is willing to forgive everything.

By extending this piece of bread, as an act of honoring him, it was the final appeal of Jesus toward Judas — One more chance to restore the relationship, but Judas did not respond. He gave himself more fully to Satan’s leading[7], so much so that Satan entered into him, or possessed him. Judas’ life goals were directly in line with Satan’s that it is as if they are the same. In John 17 Jesus refers to Judas as “the son of destruction,” or “the son of perdition.” The betrayal is that he actively sought to destroy the kingdom Jesus was seeking to build.

Judas’ heart is now completely hardened, and completely aligned with Satan’s will. The liar, hides the consequences of the betrayal. Once Judas sees Jesus being carried off, he changes his mind – but at that point its’ too late. Judas has made the choice in his heart, Jesus knows this, so he says loud enough for all the disciples to hear, (v. 27) “What you are going to do, do quickly.” If you have made up your mind to do this, “then get on with it.”

Betrayal Ends In Darkness (vv. 28-30)

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.”

(v. 30) “So, after receiving the morsel of bread” – There are two symbolic acts that Jesus does that powerfully show us how Jesus wants us to live out the mission of sharing the gospel. The first is the washing of the disciple’s feet. As they are arguing amongst themselves about who is the greatest amongst them, Jesus took off his out garment, wrapped himself with a towel and washed their feet – like a servant. In our taking the gospel out we are to serve.

The second symbolic act can be missed, if we are not paying attention – it is when Jesus takes a piece of bread, dips it in a common bowl and then hands it to Judas. Again, this was an act of honor toward the person. “Here is something good, as my friend, I want you to have it.” Judas, knowing he was going to betray him, takes it and eats it anyway (totally disrespectful). Jesus gives Judas opportunity after opportunity to turn back.

Jesus tells Judas to do what he has planned quickly, and he leaves the meal alone. John tells us what the other 11 were thinking. Some thought he was going to buy supplies, some though he was going to give an offering at the temple for the poor.

Judas leaves with the 11 not knowing he was the one who was going to betray Jesus. Why doesn’t Jesus call out Judas by name? Why not use this as an opportunity to unquestionably expose him? As long as the betrayer stays anonymous, he could always repent and rejoin the group. No one knew, except Jesus.

_________________________

[1] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, The Gospel of John, Volume 4 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2001) 1020.

[2] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In the New Testament, Volume V (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1932) 242.

[3] (v. 23) John as the author refers to himself as “One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved,” and in other places as “the beloved disciple.” John is not saying, “the one who was loved more than the others,” instead he is emphasizing more along the idea of, “What a wonder – that I should be loved by the Incarnate Word!”

[4] Grant R. Osborne, Osborne New Testament Commentaries, John Verse by Verse (Bellingham Washington; Lexham Press, 2018) 325.

[5] G.H.C. Macgregor, The Moffatt New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of John (New York, New York; Harper and Brothers Publishers) 281.

[6] D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991) 472.

[7] Leon Morris, The New International Commentary On The New Testament, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1981) 627.

“For I Have Given You An Example – Serve” John 13:1-17

“This Time Next Year” A Sermon Series

“For I Have Given You An Example – Serve”

John 13:1-17[1]

Introduction

Matthew 20:20-28 Sons of Zebedee wanting special places of honor

Matthew 20:28 “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,3 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Prayer

The Focused Message at the Close of the Day (v. 1)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

As you read all the gospels as they approach the end (when the hour finally arrives) you get the feeling of extreme focus by Jesus, and His attention to making sure the disciples understand His ministry. Even if they don’t understand now, later it will make sense. So, there is this sense that Jesus does not have forever to complete His ministry – there is a timeline and it is quickly drawing to a close, “Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world.”

Along with this sense of urgency in mission, is a love for what John calls, “his own.” But who were these people? “They are those who have been given to Christ by the Father (6:37, 44). They are those for whom Christ was about to die. (10:11, 15). They are those who were born, ‘not of natural descent, nor of human decision or of a husband’s will, but born of God’ (1:13). They are those to whom Christ gives eternal life, who shall never perish, and who therefore shall never be plucked from Christ’s hand (10:28-29).”[2] It is those who were in the world, out of which Christ called them.

Jesus has shown His love for His own, and helps us to define love. While we are not given and answer to “why God loves them,” we are given “how He loves them,”

1) He will give His life as a substitutionary atonement for their sin. He lays down His life for the sake of others (10:11, 15).

2) He is going “to prepare a place,” for them in heaven and promises to return to gather them (14:3). He wants his own to be with Him.

3) He is going to send them the Holy Spirit, the Helper (14:16).

4) and Jesus is going to send His own out, filled with the Holy Spirit, to do His work, to share the good news of Jesus, the gospel (15:16).

5) He also tells those who are His own, that He is interceding for them, praying for them, as He sits at the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). In v. 1 “he loved them to the end,” or “having loved His own, He saw it all the way through.” He completed the task that He was called to do.

“the way Jesus displays his unflagging love for his own is in the cross immediately ahead, and in the act of self-abasing love, the foot-washing, that anticipates the cross. ‘Greater love has no-one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’ (John 15:3).”[3]

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include Jesus’ introduction of the Lord’s Supper right before the passion. John is the only gospel to include Jesus washing the disciple’s feet and he does not include Jesus’ introducing the Lord’s Supper. Why would John not include a major sacrament of the church, and why would the other gospels not include Jesus washing their feet? Some theologians believe that before the Passover there would be a time of instruction or teaching.[4]

So John includes it because of what Jesus taught them the last time they would be together before the cross. John tells us in 20:31 what he is hoping to show through his gospel account, “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” So, John wants to show how foot washing will point you to believe that Jesus is the Christ (message) and follow His mission (method/love)?

So, with this pressing sense of mission urgency, and a deep love for His own – what does He do as one of final moments with His disciples? What can He give them, as a reminder of how they are to live their lives in light of this mission and love? What is His final sermon? One last parable.

The Heart’s Desire Followed (vv. 2-5)

2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands,[5] and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

“Jesus, knowing the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going back to God” – We are told three things about Jesus’ state of mind as he was about to wash the disciple’s feet: 1) He knows the Father has put all things in his hands – this is Jesus’ authority. 2) Jesus knows that He has come from God, this is His divine origin, and 3) Jesus knows that he is about to return to God, this is His future glory.[6] So knowing that He is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, knowing He is God in the flesh, and knowing He will be worshipped by everything that exists,[7] he sets an example for “His own.”[8]

Typically, when people would gather on special occasions, like the Feast of the Passover, they would bath before the social gathering. They would leave their homes and walk to where they would celebrate the meal. Because you would be wearing sandals, and had walked through dirt roads, when they would arrive, a servant or a low-ranking person would wash the dirt off the traveler’s feet.

It was just the disciples, and Jesus who had gathered, and there were no servants present – so no one washed their feet. The meal has started, and they are all sitting down at the table. Luke tells us that during the meal 22:24 “A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” So Jesus teaches his last parable (but it’s not about a man on a path scattering seeds, or a good Samaritan), He “rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet.” There is horror and silence.

“Emperor Caligula who, Suetonius tells us, required his senators to attend him at table. Succinctos lineto (wrapped in a towel), like waiters!” Jesus did not demand that his followers wait upon Him, he leads them to serve others instead – to serve Jesus we serve others. Matthew 25:40 “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

Look at how John describes the room, “taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin” – to wash their feet they needed: water, a basin, and a towel. All that was needed was already there to complete the task. There just needed to be a person willing to do it. Remember Jesus is passing on a mission (the gospel) and a love that He is expecting to continue on in His followers. “ . . . He is passing on the responsibility of love to them.”

Bellevue Baptist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

We have everything we need to complete this task.

The Heart Moved Toward the Savior (vv. 6-11)

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Simon Peter breaks the silence and says what everyone else in the room is thinking, “it’s not right for the highest (the greatest) among us, to do this act of service.” “To him it is unthinkable that Jesus should ever engage in the menial activity of washing his servant’s feet.”[9] Rabbis don’t do that. John the Baptist when referencing Jesus says, “. . . the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” To touch a person’s dirty feet and to clean them was a servant’s job.

That’s a servant’s job! Are you a servant?

Jesus tells him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”—this is a reference to the passion and what is about to happen. Once Jesus dies on the cross, and then is resurrected from the dead, and then appears to the disciples – then all the pieces fall into place, and the symbolism in the foot washing makes sense.

Peter responds, “You shall never wash my feet.” – Peter’s words are more like, “As long as heaven and earth exist, you will never wash my feet.” Peter says something like this earlier in their time together, “Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord!5 This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

We call Jesus Lord, Master, Savior, only so far as He does what we want, but when He goes on a direction we don’t like, “I’m not going that way!” Jesus, in this teaching parable, has a point – but Peter brushes it aside, so Jesus responds “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Westcott says, “The first condition of discipleship is self-surrender.” Or as Jesus would later say, “not my will, but yours, be done.”[10] If we are to understand Jesus’ mission (and thereby our mission), we must fully submit to Him and His plan.

Judas is mentioned, and we will look more in depth at him next week, but I want to point out when it says, “the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,” there is an aligning of the will. Judas had willed what the devil had willed. Satan did not make Judas betray Jesus; their heart’s desires aligned together.

Jesus is teaching a couple of things at the same time. First, Peter says, “wash all of me,” and Jesus says, “that’s not necessary.” This is an image of salvation; Jesus is going to lay down his life so that they can be clean (of their sin). But once a person is saved, they still sin, and will need Jesus to cleanse them again.

But you are not born again, and again, and again – no a person is born again, and then they return to Jesus to clean them of their sin (full washing, verses washing only the feet). 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Martin Luther said, “The Devil allows no Christian to reach heaven with clean feet all the way.”[11]

Second, no matter what your role is in Christ’s kingdom, we should always follow His example of being a servant – to humble ourselves and serve others.

An Example to be Followed (vv. 12-17)

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.[12] 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger (literally apostle) greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Once Jesus had finished washing the disciple’s feet he asks them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” – wash one another’s feet.

Look for something that needs to be done, no matter how lowly, and do it.

(v. 15) “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” –

Servant Leadership

(v. 16) “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger (literally apostle) greater than the one who sent him.” The disciple is sent by Jesus, as was Jesus sent by God the Father, and is to represent Jesus in spirit and character, as Jesus represents God the Father (17:18, 20:21). “. . .no emissary has the right to think he is exempt from tasks cheerfully undertaken by the one who sent him, and no slave has the right to judge ant menial task beneath him after his master has already performed it.”[13]

(v. 17) “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them,” – You can’t do the right thing until you know what the right thing is. But now that you know what it means to be a follower of Christ, to be His own – now you must do what He has said – then you will be blessed by the Lord. Blessed can also be defined as happy. If you want happiness, then serve others.

Jesus says, Matthew 5:3-12 “blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” The world says blessed are the those who are served, the winners, the dominant, the one’s who get their way, the loud and get to the top by any means necessary. Then you will be blessed and happy.

If you want to be happy, serve.

If you want to be unhappy, expect the world to serve you.

Conclusion

D. L. Moody wrote the following words next to Isaiah 6:8 in his Bible: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought to do, and what I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.”

Isaiah 6:8: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

_______________________

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUfh_wOsauk

[2] James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John, Volume 4, Peace in the Storm, John 13-17 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 1999) 997.

[3] D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1991) 461.

[4] Leon Morris, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981) 610.

[5] See also Matthew 11:27; 28:18

[6] Boice, 1009.

[7] Philippians 2:10-11 “. . . so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

[8] “Jesus is fully conscience of his deity and Messianic dignity when he performs this humble act.” Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Volume V The Fourth Gospel to the Hebrews (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1932) 237.

[9] Morris, 617.

[10] B. F. Westcott, The Gospel According to St. John, The Authorized Version With Introduction and Notes (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1981) 190.

[11] Arno C. Gaebelein, The Gospel of John, An Exposition (Neptune, New Jersey; Loizeaux Brothers, 1982) 250.

[12] A fortiori argument.

[13] Carson, 468.