If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you say to your family? I am sure you would use the time to say important things. You might prepare them for life without you, warning them of the dangers ahead, and assuring them of your love. When my wife Susan was in the last stages of cancer, she said to the hospice nurse, “I would like to talk with my (5-year-old) daughter before I go; when would be a good time?” The Nurse replied, “Today.” I brought Jill to her bedside and Sue poured out her heart in love for Jill and Sean (3 years old), giving also her thoughts about following and being true to the Lord.
In a similar way, the Lord Jesus, knowing He had only hours remaining until He would die, made sure that His disciples would be together and undisturbed (Luke 22:8-13). He wanted those last few hours with them to be so meaningful that the memory of things said would linger for the rest of their lives. Many years later, the apostle John vividly remembered all that the Lord had said and done as he wrote about that extraordinary evening together (John 13-17).
Washing and Forgiveness (13:1-10)
The occasion for Jesus’ disciples being together was the Passover. It was a significant time when the Jews remembered how God had delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. The Passover supper symbolized what the Lord would soon do by dying and shedding his blood on Calvary’s cross. He was the Lamb of God whose applied blood would save sinners from coming judgment.
In those days, the Jewish custom was to bathe prior to participating in religious ceremonies. The majority of people would bathe at a public bath or river, then their sandaled feet would need to be washed again after returning home. This foot-washing was usually done by a servant.
In order to impress the disciples with the importance of cleansing from the defilement of living in a contaminated world, the Lord began to wash the disciple’s feet. Peter felt unworthy to have his feet washed by the Lord and told Him so. He did not want to see his Lord and Master in such a servile position. The Lord’s purpose in this was to show His disciples that the way to true greatness was through humility and service to others. He also wanted to teach them important truths about the security of salvation and the need for daily cleansing from the effects of sin.
The Lord said to Peter, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean” (John 13:10, NIV). The Lord was speaking symbolically to show His disciples that once they were cleansed from sin, they were cleansed for eternity. However, because they lived in a sin-contaminated world, they would need to go to Him for “foot washing” or daily cleansing from the defiling contact with sin (1 John 1:9). When we become aware of our sin and confess it to the Lord, He forgives and cleanses us. This is how we maintain close fellowship with our Lord (John 13:14-15).
Betrayal and Death (13:21-28)
It is a terrible feeling to know you have been betrayed, especially by someone close to you. Judas had walked with the Lord for three years, had served with the other disciples, and had performed miracles (Luke 9:6,10). He appeared to be no different from the others, but there was in fact a major difference. He was greedy, dishonest, and ready to betray His Lord for 30 pieces of silver. The Lord, who knows the heart of every man, knew what was in Judas’ heart (John 2:24-25). Although He gave him every opportunity to repent, Judas’ heart was hardened by secret sins.
Because He wanted His disciples to be aware of all this, the Lord told them of His coming betrayal. This prepared the way for Judas to leave since he had no part in the discourse that was to follow. As he left to conclude his vile deed, Satan entered into him. The Lord then told the remaining eleven how His death would glorify God and commanded them to love one another (John 13:31-34). Doing this, they would show the world that they were truly His disciples (John 13:35).
As Peter reflected on the betrayal and the need to be a true disciple, he told the Lord in his usual outspoken and impetuous way that he would never betray Him. Peter was speaking emotionally and, as a result, Jesus had to tell Peter that he would indeed deny Him three times (Luke 22:61).
I Will Be Back! (14:1-14)
Most of us as parents have had to leave home for several days, and we know how the children react as we prepare to leave. The most important message we can leave with them at such a time is, “I will be back!” The Lord Jesus told the disciples to wait and be ready. This teaching was important because it gave them the assurance needed to carry them through the persecutions that would come their way. A word frequently found in the prison cells of early Christian martyrs was “maranatha” – “Our Lord is coming.” It was a simple yet profound message of encouragement. Titus referred to it as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
In these first few verses of John 14 the Lord Jesus assured the disciples that His going was “to prepare a place” for them, and that His return would be just as sure: “I will come back and take you to be with me“ (NIV). This both comforted them and filled them with expectant joy as they awaited His return.
Knowing that they would have questions as to how they should live after He was gone, He assured them that He would not leave them alone like orphans. Just as children need a special relationship with their parents, so the followers of the Lord need His personal presence, love, guidance, and care. These things would be communicated through the coming Holy Spirit who would dwell in every believer (John 14:16-18; Eph. 1:13). The Holy Spirit would be their counselor and comforter. He would empower them to do even greater things than the Lord had done while on earth (v.12).
Peace in the World (14:27-31; 15:18-16:33)
Because of the trials to follow, the Lord assured His disciples of His abiding peace (John 14:27). He knew they (and the believers to follow after them) would need the power and motivation of the Holy Spirit in their lives, because living for the Lord would not always be easy. Persecutions would come because they followed the One who was Himself rejected by the world.
For centuries, the Holy Spirit has used the Word, circumstances, personal testimonies, and many other means to continue convicting men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). Their reaction is to either reject the truth and be lost or receive the Lord Jesus as Savior and become a witness for Him. In spite of persecution and trials, the knowledge of God’s salvation and His control in every circumstance would enable His disciples, and us, to enjoy an inner peace which the world can never understand. The Lord assured them, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV). These words should be as comforting to believers now, as they were to the disciples in those last hours with their Lord.