John Chapter 14

Why did Jesus say “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” What was bothering the disciples?
Jesus was saying I am going away and you cannot follow now. Even though Jesus was telling them they would follow him, they did not understand where it was they were to go or how 
they would get there.


List, at least, 3 things Jesus told his disciples so as to calm their troubled hearts. 

• Trust in God
• Trust also in me
• In my Father's house are many rooms
• I am going there to prepare a place for you
• I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am
• You know the way to the place where I am going

What was Thomas’ fear?
That he would not be able to be with the Lord


In Chapter 14, verse 6 Jesus says "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
What does this statement say for the major religions of the world such as Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Animism, and Hinduism that do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world?

That they are not the way, they are false, not true and that they have no life


What are 3 spiritual truths Jesus provides in Chapter 14, verses 9 through 11?

• Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father
• I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me
• The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.

What do you think Jesus meant when he stated in verse 12 that“…anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these”? Specifically, how has this truth been manifested in the world?
Not greater in quality but greater in quantity. . . e.g. millions of Gentiles have been preached to and saved. . . Jesus was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel, we his disciples are to bring him to the world. See 1 Tim 2:3-4

Three times Jesus states in this chapter that “…if you love me you will keep my commandments”.


What were the commandments of Jesus?
Matt 22:36-40
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

John 13:34
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

What are the benefits provided in Chapter 14, verses 21 through 23 for loving Jesus and keeping his commandments?

•  You be loved by the Father
• Jesus will love you.
• Jesus will show himself to you
• The Father and Jesus will make their home with you
• Whoever has my commands and obeys them, is the one who loves me. Those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

23 "Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

What did Jesus imply or state in his answer to the question Judas asked him “…why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"
Do not second guess my actions, obey my teachings.
That it was not the Father’s will for him to show himself to the world.
Don’t worry be happy, the Comforter is coming, you will understand. 

What were the 2 things the Holy Spirit was promised to do for the disciples?
1. Holy Spirit will teach them all things
2. Holy Spirit will remind them of everything Jesus said to them

26 "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

Why were the promises associated with the Holy Spirit so important?
Because Jesus was leaving and they would have no teacher but with the Holy Spirit they would have a teacher who would teach them all things.
This was especially important for them because Jesus was going to die and they were about to become very confused.
Many traditions and teachings associated with the past would fall away and an entirely new and more wonderful tradition and doctrine was to be taught (salvation by grace, salvation of mankind).

Because the Holy Spirit was to remind them of all Jesus taught them, they would lose not a word of what Jesus spoke to them and were able to combine that with the new teachings of the Holy Spirit.
This complete understanding of God and his plan facilitated the creation of the Bible as the Word of God.

What was going to happen after Jesus left the disciples?

• Jesus was going to come back (vss 3, 18, 21, 28)
• They would be where Jesus was; Jesus and The Father would make their home with them (vss 3, 23)
• They would do greater things that Jesus did (vs 12)
• They would know the Father; in fact - Jesus was going to be in them and they were going to be in Jesus (vss 7, 20)
• They could ask anything in Jesus name and he would do it (vss 13,14)
• They would receive a counselor or comforter who would be with them forever; in fact - The Holy Spirit would teach them all things and remind them of all Jesus said (vss 16, 17, 26)
• They would live because Jesus lived(vs 19) 

Who is the prince of this world mentioned in Chpater 14, verse 30 and why do you think Jesus said “He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.”?

The devil

So that the disciples would understand (perhaps later) that Jesus was doing the Father’s will in submitting himself to the seemingly ill-fated plans of the devil 

How is our situation today like that of the disciples in the upper room? How is it different? What comfort can we also take from Jesus’ exhortation to them?

We are just like them in our lack of faith, our lack of understanding at times, but we are able to understand so much more because we have the Bible and Holy Spirit.
Today we can claim so many of the promises that Jesus gave them that they did not then understand.
We will all see Jesus return.

John Chapter 13

The Gospel of John Chapter 13 tells us of the Last Supper where Jesus washes the disciples feet and of his betrayal by Judas Iscariot.This is followed by Jesus' announcement of his departure.

List a few examples of Jesus’ foreknowledge of future events demonstrated in  Chapter 13.

Verse 1 - Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the 

  Father.

Verse 3 - Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had 

    come from God and was returning to God;

Verse 11 - For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every 

    one was clean.

Verse 19 - "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will         believe that I am He.”

Verse 33 - "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and  

      just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”

Verse 38 - Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the 

      truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

What lesson did the washing of feet teach the Apostles and why was it the appropriate time to teach this lesson?

The lesson was to serve Jesus and one another in humility:

“15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

The lesson was crucial to understand the manner of servant leadership that would be necessary for them to demonstrate after Jesus’ departure

Do you think Jesus washed Judas’ feet? Why or why not?

I think he did. Judas had not left the room yet as shown in verse 30. Judas also was using the ministry of Jesus for material gain (stealing from the treasury) so it is only a small step to assume he would allow Jesus to serve him in this manner also - or so it seemed to him.

Why didn’t Peter want Jesus to wash his feet?

Because he loved and respected Jesus and thought it was beneath him to wash his feet.

Just as Jesus stated, Peter later understood the meaning of his washing their feet. Peter wrote a letter after the events recorded here in Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John which indicated that he understood the lesson on humility Jesus taught by the foot washing. In fact, he even called for church leadership to humble themselves and to clothe themselves in humility. Where does Peter’s call to humility appear in scripture?

It is found in 1 Peter Chapter 5, verses 1-7

5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Jesus is obviously referring to Judas in Chapter 13, verses 10 and 11. What do you think is meant by the word clean?

I think he was saying that Judas was neither repentant, nor reverent to God, or respectful of His Son, nor pure in intent. Jesus is speaking figuratively I believe and therefore I believe the word clean signifies the new heart of the other 11 disciples – a heart hungry for spiritual truth and service; not one greedy for personal gain as was Judas’. I also believe it to be a foreshadow of the cleanliness of the Holy Spirit and the new birth.

“10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.”

Who could Jesus have been speaking of in Chapter 13, verse 16 that were servants and messengers?

Servants: us as believers; the disciples, especially Judas Iscariot; himself (in relation to God the Father)

Messengers: John the Baptist; Jesus; the disciples (especially not Judas); us

“16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

What things is Jesus referring to in Chapter 13, verse 17?

Serve one another in humility and love

What scripture is Jesus referring to in Chapter 13, verse 18 where he says “But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'?

Psalm 41:9 - “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

What things do each of the following verses tell us about Judas’ plan to betray Jesus?

Mark 14:3-11

1 Judas devised his plan began after he witnessed what he thought might be a loss of income with the anointing of Jesus feet by Mary

2 Judas went to The Chief Priests and offered to betray Jesus

3 The Chief Priests were delighted at the prospect

4 Judas was not given the money up front but was promised

Luke 22:1-6

1 The plan was to arrest Jesus when there was no crowd present

2 Judas plotted with the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the officers of the temple guard

3 The chief priests and the teachers of the law wanted to get rid of Jesus because they were afraid of the people

4 Satan entered Judas

How was Jesus glorified (see Chapter 13, verse 31) and God glorified in Jesus (see Chapter 13, verse 32)?

Jesus was glorified in that he laid down his life for the sins of the world according to the will of The Father

God is glorified in that He saved the world through the painful sacrifice of his son and in the love that Jesus has shown Him in always doing His will.

How did Jesus demonstrate his love for his disciples?

He washed their feet He told the the truth He died for their sins

Why do you think Peter wanted to know which disciple Jesus was talking about?

Because he loved Jesus and wanted to protect him; as a leader he may have tried to give him the sword.

In Chapter 13, verse 23 John describes himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. Who else is mentioned in scripture as being loved by Jesus?

Martha, Mary and Lazarus

John 11:3 - So the sisters (Martha and Mary) sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick."

John 11:5 - Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus.

John 11:36 - Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"(Lazarus)

Why might Jesus’ foretelling at the end of Chapter 13 of Peter disowning him three times have been so terribly troubling to Peter?

Because he loved Jesus deeply and might have thought he would be the one to betray him.

Questions to Answer On you Own 

Describe how you felt when betrayed by someone you trusted. What do you think was their motivation? Have you forgiven them?

Why is it so noticeable when Christians demonstrate love for one another? How is it so different that it marks us as disciples of Jesus? What are some examples of this Christian love for one another?

John Chapter 12

The Gospel of John Chapter 12 tells the story of the Mary anointing Jesus feet followed by the prophetic triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, where the story seemingly finishes.

Identify the Who, What, When, Where, Why?

• Who - Jesus, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, the disciples
• What - A dinner
• When - Six days before Passover
• Where - In Bethany
• Why - In honor of Jesus

Compare the attitudes and motivation of Mary and Judas in this passage:

Mary:
Attitude: Gratitude, worship
Motivation: Love and grateful for raising Lazarus

Judas:
Attitude: Indignation, objection
Motivation: Greed

What was Mary accused of?

Mary was accused of wastefulness.

Why did the Jewish People take branches to Jesus? Shout to Jesus, "Hosanna!"? Quote the Psalm 118: 25-26?

• The palm branch is symbolic of victory and triumph.
• The word Hosanna means – Save Now.
• They were proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah and King of Israel.

In the context of Zechariah 9:1-10:1, where Jesus’ triumphal entry is prophesied, why might the Jewish leadership have also welcomed him as king? 

Because they might have mistakenly thought he would have freed them from Roman dominion.

What did the Pharisees expect to happen when Jesus was seen publicly after he raised Lazarus from the dead? 

That they would be able to arrest him - See John Chapter 11 verse 57.

What was Jesus saying in his reply in Chapter 12 verses 23 and 24? 

That he was going to die and that his death was necessary for the lives of many.

In Chapter 12 verse 25 it states “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” How do we love or hate our lives in this world and how is it related to eternal life? 

When we value worldly things more than the spiritual things of life we love our earthly life and will not realize spiritual life because the love of earthly things is not compatible. We must forsake earthly pleasures to gain spiritual life.

Why was Jesus’ heart troubled?

Because he knew he was going to die an agonizing death.

How had God already glorified His name, and how would He glorify it again?

He had glorified it already by:

• Healing the man born blind : John 9:3 - "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
• Raising Lazarus from the dead: John 11:4 - When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  John 11:40 - Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

He would glorify it again by:

• By Jesus’ victory over death