John

Lesson 13John 13:1 – John 14:31

As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, there is one thing that we especially need to remember regarding God’s word, and this fact is that it is His Holy Word. The natural consequence of this is that every word, paragraph, page, and chapter is extremely important. If we examine the Gospel of John at a high level, we will notice something very important: one fourth of John’s Gospel, twenty-five percent, focuses on only the last six hours of the evening of the Last Supper and the events leading up to Jesus’ arrest.

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Acknowledging that this very short period of time occupies one-fourth of his gospel, there must be something, or some things, so important that it is imperative that we carefully read and understand them. It is indeed striking that, considering all of Jesus’ ministry, John chose to focus this much attention on such a short period of time; again perhaps as little as six-to-eight hours out of Jesus’ entire ministry. Let’s keep this fact in mind as we study John Chapters 13-17 over the next several lessons, which will cover just this one evening—the most important evening in Jesus’ ministry.

As was the case for our previous lessons, we will observe John’s emphasis regarding how important proper timing was in everything that Jesus did. As you read the scripture passages for this lesson, starting with John Chapter 13, note the opening verse and its reference once again to time.

So read through John Chapters 13 and 14, and consider the following:

  1. John now takes us inside Jesus’ inner circle for the last few hours before he is betrayed and crucified. We find ourselves dining with the disciples; it will be a special and sacred evening indeed. Review Chapter 13, and list all of the things that Jesus "knew" in these verses.
  2. From the same passage, John Chapter 13, now list all of the things that the disciples knew.
  3. Having examined what both Jesus and the apostles knew as they sat down for dinner, we now have a better sense of how far apart the disciples were in their understanding of just who Jesus was. What two things does Jesus teach them that also applies to us today? (See John 13:13-17 and John 13:34-35.)
  4. In John Chapter 14, we observe Jesus continuing to take his precious and dwindling time on earth to teach the disciples important lessons. Let’s see what else we can also learn from his teachings on that fateful evening. In John 14:1-7, Jesus teaches us two important things. What are they?
  5. Having described his work in preparing our heavenly home, and having identified himself as our only path to God and salvation, Jesus proceeds to teach us something else. Read John 14:8-14. Through the words of Jesus recorded in this passage, he now opens the eyes of the disciples (as well as our own eyes) regarding the works that we will do in his name. What does he tell us?
  6. Jesus continues teaching and opening the eyes of the disciples to many things that they had never known, nor considered. Now he tells them about something completely unexpected. Read John 14:15-17 and described what he is now promising them.
  7. After telling the disciples about the Helper he is sending them, he tells them something else that is even more difficult for them to understand. Read John 14:18-24. What is he specifically telling them in his assertions that he is leaving them; however, they will see him, but the world will not?
  8. Jesus concludes the evening meal with a final teaching before telling the disciples, "Let us rise and go from here." What is the last thing that Jesus reveals just before the dinner is over? (See John 14:25-31.)
  9. After announcing that God is sending a Helper, i.e., the Holy Spirit, what two things does he say that the Holy Spirit will do? And how do they apply in our lives today?

Having imparted to the disciples so many things during their evening meal, and having dismissed Judas to go and do what had to be done, Jesus now has everyone prepared to leave the place commonly referred to as the Upper Room. Given our understanding of what the disciples thought that they "knew" before coming to the Last Supper, and now knowing what Jesus has taught them (and also conveyed to them regarding his imminent departure from them); we can only imagine their state of mind as they prepare to leave and head back up the Mount of Olives for the evening. However, as we will see in our next lesson, Jesus has not yet finished preparing and equipping them for their future without his physical presence. In fact, he will continue to teach them over the course of at least two more chapters before they actually leave and head for the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.

As we reflect on our study, let’s especially remember Jesus’ first two teachings in the Upper Room: (1) that we are to serve, and (2) that we are to love. Then, let’s pray for opportunities in the coming weeks to do both of these in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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