The New Commandment

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:31-35, NRSV)

And they will know we are Christians by our…

Patriotism?
Rule following?
Pointing out other’s sins?
Crosses we wear?
Choice of music?

No none of these will show we are Christians. They will know we are Christians by our LOVE! If we love one another. How will the world see Jesus if it sees us fighting and calling out each other?

The only way for the world to see love is if we show love.

So, love as He loved you.

Jesus foretells His Betrayal

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (John 13:18-30, NRSV)

Why did the disciples not understand what Jesus said to Judas? I mean he said right before this, the one whom I give the bread I dip to will betray me. But after He did this they didn’t understand.

And here is a question for us to ponder, If Judas received Jesus, then according to Jesus’ words Judas received God. So how can one who received God betray God? Maybe this was the plan all along and Judas just didn’t get it either.

Judas did what he had to do. Someone had to hand Him over.

The question really could be, would you have handed Him over?

Summary of Jesus’ Teaching

Then Jesus cried aloud: “Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.” (John 12:44-50, NRSV)

Jesus came as light in the world to show us the love of God. Jesus doesn’t come to judge us but to show us the love God has for us, and so that the world might be saved.

So walk in the light and do not stay in the darkness, for He has come so that we might see love and share it with the world!

The Unbelief of the People

While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.” After Jesus had said this, he departed and hid from them. Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” And so they could not believe, because Isaiah also said, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they might not look with their eyes, and understand with their heart and turn— and I would heal them.” Isaiah said this because he saw his glory and spoke about him. Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human glory more than the glory that comes from God. (John 12:36-43, NRSV)

What do we do because we are afraid of what will happen if we do what we know we should do?

It says at the end of this reading that many, even those in authority, believed in Him, but because of what would happen to them if they said it, they didn’t…

They were afraid they would be shunned so they didn’t say anything.

What are we afraid to say because we think we know how people will react, or what will happen to us?

What do we fear that keeps us from truly experiencing the life Jesus has for us?

Jesus and Pilate

Then they took Jesus from Caiaphas to Pilate’s headquarters. It was early in the morning. They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”They answered, “If this man were not a criminal, we would not have handed him over to you.” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your law.” The Jews replied, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death.” (This was to fulfill what Jesus had said when he indicated the kind of death he was to die.) Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate asked him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?” They shouted in reply, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a bandit. (John 18:28-40, NRSV)

There is a custom to release a prisoner at the Passover… I have heard that this custom is only talked about here in John. That doesn’t mean it isn’t the case, but there is no other history behind this or recording of this custom anywhere else.

Also, did you notice that when the officials brought Jesus to Pilate they would not go in because they did not want to defile themselves and not be able to eat the Passover? This is the day before the Passover, and Jesus is being set up to be the sacrificial Lamb.

Even the Jewish High Council plays into handing Him over when they call for Barabbas to be released.

Who would you ask Pilate to release?