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Good Tuesday morning to you my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
Many refer to this week as “Holy Week”, the final few days leading to Easter weekend. Without question, the events of these days with Jesus nearly 2000 years ago, are among the most significant events in the history of humanity and cause the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic turmoil to pale into eternal insignificance.
While all four of the Gospel writers give a perspective, Dr. Luke gives us specific insights in his chapter 22 that prepare us for that historic Passover evening. Luke wrote: “Now the Feast of Passover was approaching and the chief priests and teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus…” (Luke 22:1) Oh my friends, this breaks my heart, how about you? The religious leaders, who should have had as their primary passion and purpose to draw people to understand God’s Word, and recognize the Son of God who was among them, instead pridefully were determined to do anything to protect their position and prominence in society, even to the point of not only rejecting Jesus but eliminating Him.
Sadly, I see that among too many world leaders today. In the midst of the most fearful health pandemic and economic disaster our world has seen in the past century, almost all global leaders push aside any effort to call on God’s help or even, as in the case of the Samaritan’s Purse Hospital in New York City, some high profile political leaders reject the help of Christian medical people, in fear their relationship with God may create dissonance with the political agenda.
By the way, did you know the 1918 influenza pandemic, caused by the H1N1 virus, is estimated to have infected about 500 million people world wide, and it killed about 50 million people, with 675,000 deaths in the USA? Here’s a CDC link giving data regarding the four major pandemics in the past 100 years: https://www.cdc.gov/
Luke also gives us unique insight into the spiritual battle raging in Judas’ heart: “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests…and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them.” (Luke 22:3-6) So, do you recognize the spiritual battle raging on two levels? First Satan was working in the hearts and minds of the religious leaders, and secondly Satan was working to draw one of Jesus disciples into being a traitor. We must understand Satan was determined to do anything to stop God’s Redemption plan and prevent Jesus from accomplishing the mission for which God the Father sent God the Son to earth.
Luke then tells us in vs. 7-13 that Jesus sent Peter and John to go into Jerusalem and make preparations for their Passover meal together. Once again, as you’ll see in vs. 10, Jesus did as He had done when sending the disciples to find and fetch the donkey for Palm Sunday. Do you see Jesus carefully described who the disciples should connect with in finding the right place for the 13 of them to have the Passover together, and to make needed arrangements? Now remember Jerusalem would have been swarming with thousands of Passover visitors. Yet Jesus was very specific, and Luke tells us “…they found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.” (Luke 22:13) Another evidence of “Immanuel”, God among us.
I invite you to join me now in John chapters 13-17, for the disciple who was Jesus’ closest friend, gives us the greatest details of what took place that historic evening. John writes: “It was just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He know showed them the full extent of His love…Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power and that He had come from God and was returning to God, so He got up from the meal…” (John 13:1-3)
Do you see John feels it is important, as we enter this upper room, that we understand Jesus is fully aware of the significance of this evening, and all the dynamics taking place all around Him?
It’s fair to say the disciples were essentially oblivious to much of what was happening here. For them it was the great Passover meal, the highlight of Passover weekend. But it is seems obvious none of them had even the slightest idea of the remarkable, world changing events which were about to happen. For the rest of their lives these men would tell and retell the story of this weekend, for it shaped their destiny and their life purpose. Honestly now, how important are these events in your life, my friends? How profoundly have they shaped who you are, your priorities in life, your world-view, even your life purpose?
What follows in John 13, is John’s description of the first three remarkable aspects of that evening. First, Jesus rose from the table, removed His outer garment, took a towel and basin and washed the feet of all the disciples. It was shocking, humiliating and a powerful teaching moment. As we know, there should have been a servant at the door upon their arrival, who would have washed their feet as soon as they removed their sandals upon entering the room. Evidently the servant was not present, and it appears none of the disciples made any effort to find water and provide this service. They kicked off their sandals and sat down with dirty feet. . .until Jesus did the unthinkable, and HE took the place of the servant, and washed their feet.
As we read John 13, we’ll see Peter objected, of course. But there is no record of Judas saying anything. Go ahead friends, put yourself among the disciples and watch as Jesus makes His way toward you, and then lovingly takes your feet in His hands. What do you feel deep inside you? You’ve seen Him heal blind eyes, straighten lame limbs, even raise dead people to life. You’ve seen Him multiply a little boys lunch to feed thousands, and calm a storm…and now, He’s washing your feet! Immanuel, God with us, is washing your feet… what does it mean to you?
Knowing what you know about the rest of the weekend, what do you feel as you watch Jesus wash Peter’s feet, knowing full well that within hours Peter will not once or twice but three times deny that he even knows Jesus? What do you feel as you watch Jesus take Judas’ feet in His hands and wash them, knowing that within a few hours, Judas will lead a band of soldiers to arrest Jesus? Oh the power of God’s Love and Forgiveness, do you agree?
So what was Jesus’ point? Why did He wash their feet? His explanation comes in vs. 12-17… humility.
Pride is one of the greatest enemies of God. Pride pushes God out. Pride disqualifies us from God’s blessing and God’s usefulness. Pride makes us self-reliant, self-confident and therefore we don’t seek God’s help. The Holy Spirit and our pride cannot co-exist. If these men were to accomplish the mission Jesus would entrust to them…taking His story and the Gospel to the world, they would need to be humble men. You cannot follow Jesus and serve our world in His name, and be prideful at the same time.
The second shocking moment came when Jesus said “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.” (John 13:21) Honestly now, could Jesus have said anything more dramatic, more unexpected? John writes: “His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant…the disciple Jesus loved was reclining next to Jesus. Simon Peter motioned to him and said, ‘Ask Him which one He means.’ Leaning back against Jesus, John asked Jesus, ‘Lord, who is it?” (John 13:22-25)
You can imagine the air seemed sucked out of the room, as the men all felt as if they’d been slapped in the face. What Jesus had said was preposterous! They’d been together every day for months. How could there be a traitor among them and not be recognized? And then, of course, each of them began asking themselves the hard question: ‘could it be me?’
Only one disciple speaks… Peter. But rather than asking Jesus the question directly, he urges John to ask the question. You’ll notice John refers to himself here as “the disciple Jesus loved”. I believe John used this phrase 5 times, in these next few chapters, to describe how he felt. He felt deeply loved by Jesus. He felt safe and confident in their relationship. And I think he was overwhelmed that Jesus would include him in His global mission, by inviting John to follow Him.
The fact that John was sitting next to Him, tells me John didn’t want to miss out on anything. He wanted to hear every word, see every look on Jesus’ face. Do you notice that John leaned back on Jesus, rather than simply turning and asking the question straight up? I think it means John almost whispered the question, and expected a whispered answer. But you see Jesus said out-loud so all could hear: “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread…’ then dipping it in the dish He gave it to Judas Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘What you are about to do, do quickly’ Jesus said…and as soon as Judas had taken the bread he went out.” (John 13:25-30)
You and I are sitting at the table, among the disciples. What do you feel right now? What have we just witnessed? Why did Jesus not scream at Judas or hit him or in some way humiliate him? Why did Jesus acknowledge that He was fully aware of Judas’ intent, and urge him to do it quickly?
It’s because Jesus knew it had to happen, in order for Him to accomplish His Redemption mission. He could have prevented it. He could have struck Judas dead on the spot, but He didn’t, because of His great love for you and me and the entire human race, for whom He was about to pay the full sin price with His horrible death.
John writes: “When he was gone, Jesus said “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in Him…I will be with you only a little while longer… a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (vs. 31-35) Jesus would bring great glory to God the Father through His obedience to God’s Redemption Plan, and the manner, the attitudes with which Jesus would suffer over these next hours.
While the disciples did not have any idea at this moment, each of them would also suffer greatly, as they became known as followers of Jesus. In fact, each of them would eventually be put to death because of their refusal to stop sharing the story of Jesus! Look closely at those you know who claim to be Christians. Do you see the love of Jesus in them? Jesus said that would be the hallmark indicator of a follower of Jesus… someone who loved like Jesus. Does that describe you and me, my friends?
Finally the third shocking moment of this 13th chapter, the early part of this Passover evening, is Peter’s rash, bold, confident statement: “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you!”
Once again, as I look around the room, I see mouths hanging open, do you see them? Men stroking their beards, even some men nodding in agreement. Nobody expected what they heard next from Jesus: “Will you really lay down your life for Me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times!”
No one dared to speak. They hardly breathed. They starred at Jesus, then Peter, then once again that haunting, penetrating question… “could it be me?”
As you and I walk this week, in our world turned upside down by a COVID-19 pandemic and world economies spinning out of control. . .I’m asking us all to ponder deeply the powerful truths of John 13.
<> Satan’s powerful fight to oppose Jesus, Jesus’ purposes, and anyone who follows Jesus.
<> The importance of humility in the lives of followers of Jesus.
<> What betraying Jesus might look like today…in any life, but especially in your life or mine, and what would lead a follower of Jesus to betray Jesus today?
<> The power of Jesus’ love being lived out through your life and mine in our confused, broken world today.
<> The painful reality, that even passionate followers of Jesus can deny Him sometimes, with our attitudes, our behavior and our words.
Oh Lord Jesus. . .
Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
Have a comment or question about today’s chapter? I’m ready to hear from you, contact me here.
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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