November 28, 2016
WE LOVE RADICALLY BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.
John 13:21–38
Rachel Duncan
Central Truth
Jesus’ love for the world is greater than we can ever imagine. He offers everyone the chance to know Him and share His love with others! Because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), we can love and love radically!
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 13:34-35)
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
Jesus chose to spend His final hours on earth with His most beloved friends, His disciples. He began the evening by humbly washing their feet, demonstrating His love for them and providing us an example of how we are to serve and care for others (John 13:5). Jesus explained to the disciples (verse 35) that the world would know them as His followers by their love for one another. The way they lived would be the way they loved.
Have you ever thought about how indescribable and unfathomable the love of Jesus Christ really is? Paul states in Ephesians that the "breadth and length and height and depth" of God's love is too great to fully grasp (Ephesians 3:18-19). It’s a supernatural love that no human being can fully comprehend. Jesus loved His disciples to the very end of His days, and He has that same supernatural love for you!
Growing up, I loved singing along to “Jesus Loves Me” in church. But I never really understood what the words meant until later in my life when I gave my life to Christ. My eyes were finally opened to what being loved by Jesus meant and what it could do. I saw a love that changes everything. It brings the dead to life, moves mountains, and reconciles us to the Creator of the universe!
This is what Jesus wanted His disciples to know in His last moments. There is nothing more important than understanding God's love for us, because to know His love is to know Him. So let’s join Him in showing His great love to the world!
Discussion Questions
1. Do you believe the words of that beloved children’s song, “Jesus Loves Me?" If so, sing praises to Him in celebration of His amazing love!
2. If you’re having trouble believing in His love for you today, read these powerful verses: John 3:16, Galatians 2:20, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:4-5, Zephaniah 3:17, and Psalm 86:15.
3. In this passage, Jesus encouraged His disciples to love each other and those around them. How is your community doing in loving each other? Make a point to remind them today of how loved they are by you and by their Savior Jesus Christ!