NLT Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition - Flipbook - Page 55
page 1829
12:41
Isa 6:1
12:42
John 7:13, 48; 9:2223; 12:11
12:43
John 5:44
•
J ohn 1 3
41Isaiah
was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke
of the Messiah’s glory. 42Many people did believe in him, however, including some of
the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel
them from the synagogue. 43For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
Jesus Summarizes His Message (187)
44Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God
12:46
John 1:4; 3:19;
8:12; 9:5
12:47
John 3:17; 8:15
who sent me. 45For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46I have come
as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer
remain in the dark. 47I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have
come to save the world and not to judge it. 48But all who reject me and my message will
be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49I don’t speak on my own
authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50And
I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
C. DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, THE SON OF GOD (13:1–21:25)
John begins his Gospel with eternity and ends with Jesus coming to earth again. He features Jesus teaching his
disciples privately just before his arrest and death. We see clearly the deep love Jesus has for believers and the
peace that comes from faith. Knowing the love Jesus has for believers, we, too, should believe and allow Jesus to
forgive our sins. Only then will we experience peace in a world filled with turmoil.
13:1
John 16:28; 17:1
13:2
Luke 22:3
John 6:70-71
13:4
Luke 12:37; 22:27
13:5
Luke 7:44
John 12:3
1. Jesus teaches his disciples
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (210)
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this
world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on
earth, and now he loved them to the very end.* 2It was time for supper, and the devil
had already prompted Judas,* son of Simon Iscariot, to betray J esus. 3Jesus knew that
the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and
would return to God. 4So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel
around his waist, 5and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’
feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
6When J
esus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash
my feet?”
13
13:1 Or he showed them the full extent of his love.
13:2 Or the devil had already intended for Judas.
12:42-43 Along with those who refused to believe, many believed but
refused to admit it. Ultimately this did no good, and Jesus had strong
words for such people (see Matthew 10:32-33). Those who will not
take a stand for Jesus are usually afraid of rejection or ridicule and how
that might affect their relationships or livelihood. Many Jewish leaders
wouldn’t admit to faith in Jesus because they feared excommunication
from the synagogue, which would end many of their long-standing
relationships and impact their livelihood by causing them to lose their
prestigious place in the community. But the praise of others is fickle and
short-lived. We should be much more concerned about God’s eternal
acceptance than about the temporary gratification of other people’s
approval.
12:45 We often wonder what God is like. How can we know the Creator when he doesn’t make himself visible? But God has made himself
visible—Jesus said plainly that those who see him see God, because he is
God (see 14:9-11). If you want to know what God is like, study the person
and words of Jesus Christ. Listen for his voice as you read his words. Ask
the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind so you can recognize his presence
in your life more clearly.
12:48 The purpose of Jesus’ first mission on earth was not to judge
people but to show them the way to find salvation and eternal life. When
he comes again, one of his main purposes will be to judge people for
how they have lived on earth. On the Day of Judgment, those who have
accepted Jesus and lived his way will be raised to eternal life (1 Corinthians
15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Revelation 21:1-7), and those who have
rejected Jesus and lived any way they pleased will face eternal punishment (Revelation 20:11-15). Decide now which side you’ll be on, for the
consequences of your decision will last forever.
13:1–17:26 John 13–17 reveals what Jesus said to his disciples on
the night before his death. These words were all spoken in one evening
when, with only the disciples as his audience, he gave final instructions
to prepare them for his death and resurrection, events that would change
their lives forever.
13:1-17 Jesus was the model servant, and he showed his servant attitude
to his disciples. Washing guests’ feet was a job for a household servant to
carry out when guests arrived. But Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist,
as the lowliest slave would do, and washed and dried his disciples’ feet.
If even he, God in the flesh, serves so willingly, we—his followers—must
also be servants, willing to serve in any way that glorifies God. What would
that kind of service mean in your home, your workplace, or your ministry?
Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example of serving? Whom can you serve
today? Jesus blesses those who not only agree that humble service is
Christ’s way but also follow through and do it (13:17).
13:1-3 For more information on Judas Iscariot, see his profile on page
1699.
13:1 Jesus knew he would be betrayed by one of his disciples, denied
by another, and deserted by all of them for a time. Still, he “loved them
to the very end.” God knows us completely, as Jesus knew his disciples
(2:24-25; 6:64). He knows the sins we have committed and the ones we
will yet commit. Still, he loves us. How do you respond to that kind of love?
13:6-7 Imagine being Peter and watching Jesus wash the others’ feet,
all the while moving closer to you. Seeing his master behave like a slave
must have confused Peter. He still did not understand Jesus’ teaching
that to be a leader a person must be a servant. This uncomfortable truth
challenges leaders who find it difficult to serve those under their authority. How do you treat those who work under you, whether children,
employees, or volunteers?
