Faith in Christ Jesus:
2 Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as knowing the trustworthy character and motives of Jesus, and being confident in His limitless promise-keeping ability, and consequently committing yourself entirely to His keeping. We are studying the Gospel of John, answering these questions: 1) What is revealed of Jesus’ character, motives, and abilities? 2) What is indicated that you could confidently commit to Jesus’?
That You May Be Persuaded,
John 13:18-38
Familiarity is particularly comforting when we experience fear, grief, disillusionment, and betrayal! Jesus’ followers would have all of that AND lose the one Person who had provided their unity, purpose, and daily occupation! How can they withstand all of that? The FACTUAL foundation of our trust IN Jesus Christ is what confirms our commitment TO Jesus.
They were shaken from any self-confidence when Jesus said, “One of you will betray me.” (John 13:21-22) How could they trust themselves since Satan could “pour” betrayal into Judas’ heart (verse 2) as easily as Jesus poured water into a basin (verse 5), and since Satan did take possession (verse 27) of one of their own? They were shaken from self-importance when their Lord and Master stooped to wash their feet! They were shaken from confidence in the future when Jesus said He was going where they could not follow (verses 33 & 36)! They were shaken from turning to Peter for leadership since he would completely disown Jesus three times before morning (v. 38)!
Jesus gave them firm confidence in Himself that would carry them through all that shook them! He said, “I tell you this now before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may be persuaded and believe that I am He [Who I say I am--the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah].” Compare John 13:19 with 14:11 & 14:29. Jesus gave them a new daily occupation AND identity in verses 34 – 35, “I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].” Jesus gave them a new understanding of glory and reward! Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Neither earthquakes nor life-quakes should shake our confidence in, or commitment to, Jesus.
That You May Be Persuaded,
John 13:18-38
Read John 13:2, 18, 21, 26, 27.
Three persons are named. What part did each play in the betrayal of Jesus?
Judas: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Satan: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Jesus: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
What is revealed of Jesus’ character by how He honored Judas in the seating order, and giving the “sop”? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
How has Satan “poured” thoughts of disloyalty to Jesus into America’s Christians… how are we disloyal? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Read John 13:34 – 35.
What is Jesus’ commandment? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
How are we identified as followers of Jesus? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
How can this give us ability to:
Overcome doubt: (v22) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Overcome disloyalty (v30) Judas could have changed the end of that verse! _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Overcome failure (v37-38) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Compare John 13:34 with Ephesians 5:25, Romans 12:10, Romans 13:8, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 3:11 & 23, 1 John 4:7 & 11.
Why is this so important?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Why don’t we do it? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
What affect does NOT doing it have on our trust in Jesus? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Describe the relationship between trusting and obeying: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.