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by Sandy Shaw
In John Chapter 13, we see Jesus Christ and His disciples about to celebrate the Feast of the Passover. It is only a few hours before Jesus is betrayed and arrested, and Jesus has much to share with these men. Jesus has so much to teach them and Jesus is even prepared to share things with them which they are not yet able to fully understand.
His hour had come. Jesus knew he was going to die, and Jesus Christ knew where he was going after death.
Now, that influences a man. If you know where you are going after death, that will impart security and assurance and courage and will keep you faithful right to the end.
He had come from heaven, and Jesus knew He was going back to heaven.
If you know you are going somewhere very special, it can be easy to overlook or neglect the needs and duties around you, but not Jesus. There is work He still has to do.
When Jesus took the towel and the basin, he did the job that nobody else would do. Jesus moves around that room washing the feet of His disciples and bowing and serving in this humble way, and Jesus is able to do this because he is secure.
When you are secure in Christ – you can do anything – you can serve in any way – you can bow before men and do what they need, knowing that Jesus will minister to you and even through you.
Our world is crying out for love and Jesus Christ shows us how to serve lovingly and powerfully. This can shock people at times. Everyone in that room was surprised at what Jesus did on this occasion. Jesus has to deal with levels of pride in the hearts of His disciples so that they will be able to serve and minister obediently and effectively.
It is not easy to enter the jungle of human ambition, but Jesus sets the example and He gives us the pattern. There are all these ‘wannabes’ out there today wanting to be famous and to become famous quickly and suddenly, but this is the Chapter for ‘wannabe’ disciples, as Jesus stoops to a higher level. Now, there is a wonderful paradox. Jesus stoops to a higher level. Only in Christ can we do that.
Around this table there are thirteen men and very soon two are going to be dead.
The first to die is Judas Iscariot. He was this close to Jesus Christ and yet, he never made it. He did so much. What you are at the end is vital.
What Jesus is saying here was not for the immediate moment, but for the future.
That can be the same with us at times.
We hear a message, or read a passage, and it may not fit into our present situation, but one day the Holy Spirit will remind you of it. As we soak up God’s Word, a situation can suddenly arise and God begins to apply a Word that was spoken weeks or months previously, as His living Word ministers to us in a very real and practical way.
From these words we learn that Jesus expected treachery from within. He knew that from among these disciples there would be a traitor – one who would betray Him.
The Church of Jesus Christ has suffered more from traitors within, than enemies outside, and this is always difficult to face and accept, but it is a fact.
Jesus remembers the words of Psalm 41 verse 9 – the words of David – when one who was so close to him went against him. There was someone close to Jesus who should have been supporting Him, but he was preparing to betray Him. When someone lets you down in this way it is sore and wounding and hurtful. For Jesus it meant crucifixion and yet we need to remember too that He was laying down His life, and at the same time remember that a traitor seeks to undermine and destroy what God wants to do, and yet in this situation it brought about the will of God. It is a complex passage and if you find it difficult ask the Holy Spirit the enlighten you and make Jesus’ words clear.
Jesus explains – I am telling you all this so that you will not be too upset and bewildered when it happens. Jesus did not want their confidence to be totally shattered and so Jesus takes time to prepare His disciples to face what lies ahead.
When it happens – when you realise that one you have lived with for three years is a traitor – know that I knew it all along. Do not lose you confidence in me nor in yourselves. Jesus makes it very clear that there is only one traitor. The rest of you are mine!
Verse 20 – Whoever receives you, will receive me. Read and study this passage and pray that the illumination of the Holy Spirit will enable you to see and understand the relevance of what Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord is teaching.
Jesus taught and ministered as He did because He was secure, and through real vital living faith we too can know something of that security.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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