John 13:31-38
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If you’re tuning in for the first time today, we are currently being led through the Gospel of John by the teaching of our Radio Pastor, J. Mark Horst. In a few moments, he’ll be here to teach us, but before he does that, let’s pray.
Gracious God, our Heavenly Father, we come to you in the precious name of Jesus. It is alone through Him that we have access into your holy presence. His blood, shed on the cross at Calvary, is the only sacrifice that is acceptable to you to wash away our sin.
And now, Father, as Pastor J. Mark comes to teach us from the Word, open our hearts to receive your truth. This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
In this relation of love, we all need to know more which calls for much more clarification. We need help to understand better the whole nature of love. In this John 13:31-38 text, there is much help in understanding how Jesus clarified love.
32. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
33. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
34. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.
35. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
36. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
37. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
38. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.
39. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.
My friend, with these words, Jesus defined the several AREAS where love must be clarified.
The need arises in The Area of Conflict.
The opening words of this text are these: “Then, when he had left.” The reference is to Judas, who had gone to finish his negotiations with the high priest to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Satan had entered into him, and Judas became a tool of Satan.
On other occasions, Jesus had cast out demons and released the one who was in bondage to that demon or demons. This time Satan took so complete control of Judas that there seemed to be something of a release after he left, because then Jesus said, “Now, the Son of man is glorified. And God will glorify Him very shortly.” God will do it.
There is the area of conflict where love must be clarified. You see, it appears as though Jesus was distressed, oppressed, by the fact that Satan had taken over one of His disciples. It was not until h...
