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, 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.” 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. 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.” 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. —John 13:21-38

Big Idea: Jesus commands us to

Introduction: Jesus continues to instruct His disciples in John 13 as part of His private ministry. All of this is for their future benefit when He has gone to heaven. He knows the future that awaits them and knows they will need to believe that God is worthy of their sacrifice and that they will need one another in challenges that await.

1. His example of glorifying God

• a. Jesus came to glorify The Father (John 7:28-29; 8:16,49; 10:17; 12:27-28; 17:1)

  28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” —John 7:28-29
  16 Yet even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me. … 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. —John 8:16,49
  For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. —John 10:17
  27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” —John 12:27-28
  When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, —John 17:1
  

• b. God is glorified in Jesus loving people (v.31-32)

• c. Live to increase the reputation of The Father

We are to use our life to

2. His example of loving people

• a. A new commandment? (Leviticus 19:18, Matt 5:43-44, Matt 22:34-40)

  You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. —Leviticus 19:18
  43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, —Matthew 5:43-44
  34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” —Matthew 22:34-40
  

• b. Love as I have loved you (v.34)

  1. Despite betrayal (v.21-31)
  2. Despite denial (v.36-38)
  3. Judas & Peter give two contrasting responses to sinning against Jesus
     We can see the magnitude of Christ’s love through
     Reveal Answer
     despite
     Reveal Answer
     and
     Reveal Answer
     .
     

  4. As little Children (v.33)

Jesus’ love for us as His little children is

• c. The way of Love (1 John 4:10-11, 16)

  10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. … 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. —1 John 4:10-11, 16
  

  1. We love one another in who we are (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

     4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. —1 Corinthians 13:4-8
     

  2. We love one another in what we do (Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Peter 4:8-10, Ephesians 5:19)

     23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:23-25
     8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: —1 Peter 4:8-10
     addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, —Ephesians 5:19

Embrace opportunities to

Small Group Questions

1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind?

3. Who has been a wonderful example in your life or living to influence and increase the reputation of God? How can you live in this manner?

4. Jesus was betrayed and publicly denied by some of those closest to Him. What does this tell you about His love? How can we love amidst relational pain?

5. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Pick an area of opportunity in your life to grow as a person of love this week and spend time as a group prayer for the Holy Spirit to help you.