John 14:1-3 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

“Huwag mabagabag ang inyong puso. Sumampalataya kayo sa Diyos, sumampalataya rin naman kayo sa akin. 2 Sa bahay ng aking Ama ay maraming tahanan. Kung hindi gayon, sasabihin ko ba sa inyo na ako'y paparoon upang ihanda ko ang lugar para sa inyo? 3 At kung ako'y pumunta roon at maihanda ko ang isang lugar para sa inyo, ako'y babalik at kayo'y tatanggapin ko sa aking sarili, upang kung saan ako naroroon, kayo rin ay naroroon.

LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.

Jesus has been telling His disciples about His impending death. This is why Jesus took the time to reassure the disciples directly, telling them not to be "troubled." It involves enduring hardship without losing trust. In a sense, this is a call for courage more than an upbeat mood as an expression that they ‘trust God the Father and Jesus’. This might be two separate commands: "trust God and trust Me." Or, it might be an expression of logic: "you trust God, therefore you also trust Me." Or, even as "if you trust God, you will trust Me."

Moreover, Jesus promised a dwelling place. This term in the original is most literally taken as "dwelling places" seems plausible. However, it could also mean a physical house or a family. And, most likely, this is a reassurance that in the family of God there is room for all of them. At the end of a believer's life journey, His destiny is the result of Christ's efforts.

Christ is coming again. At a glance, this fits the promised rapture, when Christ will take believers from earth as He romised. During His later prayer, Jesus did repeat this idea of believers being in the places where He is. Jesus prayed, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”[John 17:24]

We live by God’s promises, don’t we? Let’s anchor our hope therefore unto Jesus words. And as Paul wrote, “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”[Titus 2:13]

John 13:36-38 ESV

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

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36 Sinabi sa kanya ni Simon Pedro, “Panginoon, saan ka pupunta?” Sumagot si Jesus, “Sa pupuntahan ko ay hindi ka makakasunod sa akin ngayon; ngunit pagkatapos ay makakasunod ka.” 37 Sinabi sa kanya ni Pedro, “Panginoon, bakit hindi ako makakasunod sa iyo ngayon? Ang aking buhay ay ibibigay ko para sa iyo.” 38 Sumagot si Jesus, “Ang buhay mo ba'y ibibigay mo dahil sa akin? Katotohanang sinasabi ko sa iyo, hindi titilaok ang manok, hanggang ipagkaila mo ako ng tatlong beses.

NO FAILURE NEEDS TO BE FINAL

Earlier Jesus declared, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.” [see v.33] Peter seemed not to satisfy to what Jesus said, so that he asked, “Lord, where are you going?” In a personal note, He said to Peter, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” And, Peter won’t accept it but had said confidently, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

No doubt, Peter is a person who would say what he had in his mind. He argued earlier to be bathed by Jesus, so that not his feet only be washed. Again, he differed the Lord Jesus Christ’s statement because he claimed he was willing to lay his life for Jesus. He thought that he was certain than to what Jesus has said about himself. Was Jesus wrong and Peter was right? How many of us are like Peter?

Jesus foretold what Peter would do, saying, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” In short, Jesus saw Peter would fail Him. Definitely, Jesus knows we would fail like Peter. God ‘knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.’[Psa 103:14]

Thankfully, Jesus had assured Peter saying ‘You will follow me later’. Peter would be restored. No failure needs to be final. As Solomon said, “the righteous falls seven times and rises again.” [Prov 24:16]

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John 13:31-35 ESV

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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31 Nang siya'y makalabas na, ay sinabi ni Jesus, “Ngayon ay niluwalhati ang Anak ng Tao, at ang Diyos ay niluwalhati sa kanya; 32 kung ang Diyos ay niluwalhati sa kanya, luluwalhatiin din siya ng Diyos sa kanya, at luluwalhatiin siya kaagad. 33 Maliliit na mga anak, makakasama pa ninyo ako nang kaunting panahon. Ako'y inyong hahanapin. At gaya ng sinabi ko sa mga Judio ay sinasabi ko sa inyo ngayon, ‘Sa pupuntahan ko, ay hindi kayo makakapunta.’ 34 Isang bagong utos ang sa inyo'y ibinibigay ko, na kayo'y magmahalan sa isa't isa. Kung paanong minahal ko kayo, magmahalan din kayo sa isa't isa. 35 Sa pamamagitan nito ay makikilala ng lahat ng mga tao na kayo ay aking mga alagad, kung kayo'y may pag-ibig sa isa't isa.”

A NEW COMMANDMENT

In view to Christ’s arrest and death, He saw both the Father’s glory because of His obedience and His glorification from the Father. Although it was to happen yet in the future, He was so certain that He spoke of the glory as a present and immediate. The idea that God would come in the flesh, die an unjust death, in order to pay the penalty of human sin is incomprehensible. This act of outrageous mercy does glorify God, manifesting His love and mercy. Jesus has expressed a glimpse of the mind and heart of God. What shameful and barbaric acts are going to be used as instrument for the greatest possible good for God’s glory and man’s salvation.

Jesus calling His disciples “little children” had prepared them to endure what is to come. The end of Jesus' time on earth was only hours away. At the turn of the night, they are going to face outrageous fear, doubt, and uncertainty. Referring to them as "little children" is an expression of Jesus' love and concern as they will be thrust out into a hostile world to proclaim the gospel.

However, Jesus would leave them for awhile. Upon hearing Him, His critics might have thought either He was going away or commit suicide. And, the disciples would not be able to pursue Him only after He would reveal to them after His resurrection.

Amazingly, He re-issued them the commandment to love one another. The "newness" Jesus refers to here is in the sense of something ‘refreshed, re-emphasized, or highlighted’. Love is the primary evidence that authenticate the relationship between Him and the disciples. That is, Jesus put premium on genuine love among themselves in the midst of hardships as the hallmark of their being His follower. In all aspects of the Christian faith, love should stand out as the greatest of all. [1 Cor 13:10]

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John 13:21-30 ESV

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

DO QUICKLY

Jesus was so disturbed about the face-to-face encounter with all the pain and misery coming His way. He was more explicit here to say that Judas will choose treachery and damnation soon (see Mark 14:18–21) As he said that one of them would betray Him, the others had no clue. Nobody suspected Judas. In other words, Judas had pretended really well before his co-disciples. But, Jesus knew everything.

Out of concern, Peter requested John, sitting beside Jesus, to ask Jesus who among them. And John may had asked Jesus in a whisper. There was no hesitancy when Jesus said to him plainly, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Perhaps, the others did not hear about their conversation.

Interestingly, Satan immediately entered in to Judas in order to control him. Clearly, Judas has crossed the point of no return. Jesus, upon seeing this turn of events, said to Judas and Satan, “What you are going to do, do quickly” This is similar to the common phrase today, “Hurry up.” Notedly, Jesus enjoined Judas to do what he decided to do quickly only when Satan has governed him.

Out of concern, Peter requested John, sitting beside Jesus, to ask Jesus who was among them. And John may have asked Jesus in a whisper. There was no hesitancy when Jesus said to him plainly, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Perhaps, the others did not hear about their conversation.

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John 13:18-20 ESV

18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

THE SCRIPTURE WILL BE FULFILLED

As Jesus pointed out to Peter, Jesus made a difference between being "bathed" spiritually, referring to those who are spiritually "washed" (v.8–10). In context, the meaning is that salvation makes a person "clean," leaving only a need “foot washing”, signifying to maintain good fellowship with God through confession of sin (1 John 1:8–10).

In that particular statement, Jesus pointed out that not all of those present for the foot-washing were "clean." This was referring to Judas, who had already started the steps of betraying Jesus to local religious leaders (Mat 26:14–16). Judas’ clandestine motive and actions were not a surprise to Jesus. His chosing him wasn’t a mistake. This was meant to fulfill the prophetic statement of Psa 41:9. An even deeper fulfillment of that prophecy will happen in the next moments, as Jesus literally shares food with Judas (John 13:26)

Jesus warned them of the coming hardship and they have to strengthen their hearts. Jesus knows that Judas' impending betrayal will catch the other disciples totally off-guard. Troubles and setbacks are theatening but they are much less frightening when we realize that they're happening just as predicted, and that prediction includes a good ending. The scriptures can not be broken. What the Scriptures had stipulated will certainly happen.

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John 13:12-17 ESV

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

BLESSED ARE YOU IF YOU DO THEM.

The disciples were stunned to Jesus washing their feet. They were bewildered as to what it meant as many instances in the past. Thus, it was needful for Jesus to explain to them the reason behind this. Firstly, He affirmed their confession or recognition that He is their Master and Teacher, for He is.

As their Master and Teacher, they are supposed to follow His example, are they not? He did it intentionally as an object lesson. His action had completely overturned the idea of what godly leadership looked like. They might had thought, “That’s the servant job not the master’s.” It elevated the concept of servanthood, that is, changing it from something degrading and shameful into a mutual expression of love and respect. Therefore, they ought to wash one another’s feet. This would confirm their confession as His servants. Otherwise they were just fooling themselves. Jesus had reiterated more that ‘servants are not above their masters’. If the Master acts in love and service to others, those who follow are obligated to do the same.

Clearly, the point is not about literal ‘washing of feet’, but having an attitude of humility and self-sacrifice. Christians should never feel "too big" to never stoop down in order to love and serve others. A lip service amounts to nothing. But, ‘blessed are those who know and do serve others’.

Serving others is the hallmark of the body of Christ. As Paul said, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”[Phil 2:3,4] This is reflecting the ‘attitude’ of Christ. As Paul continued, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”[Phil 2:5-8]

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John 13:1-11 ESV

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

LORD, DO YOU WASH MY FEET?

The washing of the disciples’ feet is one of the surprising acts Jesus did to them. Certainly, Jesus had demonstrated love and patience with the disciples, as He gave the last segments of His lessons prior to being arrested. What is more surprising is that this washing included Judas, who wasn’t just an unbeliever but a traitor or betrayer. Jesus’ compassion is seen here.

Unexpectedly during the middle of the dinner, Jesus wore a garb, took basin and water and began washing their feet. In that era, ancient roads were covered in dirt, dust, waste, and animal droppings. Ancient people wore sandals or went barefoot. Hence, washing of feet was necessary before they enter a house, but it was dirty and inconvenient act. It was always performed on someone of higher status by someone of lower status, usually the lowest slave in the house. Thus, it was ludicrous for a master, even Jesus to wash the feet of His inferiors. It’s not a surprise that Peter reacted and said, “You shall never wash my feet.” The others might had thought the same.

This is exactly the point Jesus seeks to make. The task Jesus did, by definition, was one performed as an act of servitude and modesty and yet a mark of greatness. A thing they would understand later when Jesus will explain it to them. Certainly, His example should shatter our natural pride and vanity, should it not? If humble servanthood has not belittled the Son of God, it shouldn’t belittle any person who claims to follow Him in this act. Let’s be like the Lord Jesus, who are willing to serve others.

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John 12:44-50 ESV

44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

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44 Si Jesus ay sumigaw at nagsabi, “Ang sumasampalataya sa akin ay hindi sa akin sumasampalataya, kundi doon sa nagsugo sa akin. 45 At ang nakakita sa akin ay nakakita doon sa nagsugo sa akin. 46 Ako'y naparito na isang ilaw sa sanlibutan, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa akin ay huwag manatili sa kadiliman. 47 Kung ang sinuman ay nakikinig sa aking mga salita, at hindi tumutupad ng mga iyon ay hindi ko siya hinahatulan, sapagkat hindi ako naparito upang humatol sa sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ang sanlibutan. 48 Ang nagtatakuwil sa akin at hindi tumatanggap sa aking mga salita ay mayroong isang humahatol sa kanya. Ang salitang aking sinabi ang siyang hahatol sa kanya sa huling araw. 49 Sapagkat ako'y hindi nagsasalita mula sa aking sarili kundi ang Ama na nagsugo sa akin ay siyang nagbigay sa akin ng utos, kung ano ang dapat kong sabihin, at kung ano ang dapat kong bigkasin. 50 Nalalaman ko na ang kanyang utos ay buhay na walang hanggan. Kaya't ang mga bagay na sinasabi ko ay aking sinasabi ayon sa sinabi ng Ama.”

KNOW CHRIST, KNOW THE FATHER

As Jesus shouted to raise Lazarus to life, so Jesus did a loud, deliberate proclamation here. That is, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” His claims corresponded to what Heb 1:3 states, that is, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.”

People were confronted with two only two options being confronted by Jesus, claiming as the light. That is, either they will believe and follow Him as the light or they remain in darkness. There is no in between. And as the light, His words reveals the Father. When one hears from Jesus, they are hearing from God the Father. Rejecting the Son is as rejecting God (John 3:36). Paul affirmed this by saying that Jesus is the visible form of the invisible Father.[Col 1:15] Jesus is the "light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."[2 Cor 4:4]

During His first coming, Jesus did not come to judge the world but to save the world from darkness. However, we must receive Him and His words to keep it. Rejecting His words is costly someday. To "remain in darkness" is not merely to choose ignorance. It means to decide to remain away from God, forever (Mat 25:30). What awaits for them is God’s judgment. It is unfair for a teacher to give an examinations to his students a subject matter that he had not taught yet, is it not? God is just. Likewise, the words that they heard from Jesus will judge them someday. In other words, the gospel that the people reject would be the basis of their condemnation.

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John 12:36-43 ESV

When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

40 “He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their heart,

lest they see with their eyes,

and understand with their heart, and turn,

and I would heal them.”

41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

THE PERIL OF UNBELIEF

Jesus rebuked His religious critics for refusing" to acknowledge the obvious works or acts of God through Him. They were given by God specifically to encourage belief in Him through Christ. Anyone who claimed they needed "more evidence" to believe in Jesus was lying, not only towards others but even to themselves. The proof includes God’s work in nature (Psalm 19:1), in our experience or conscience (Rom 1:18–20), Scripture (John 20:30–31) and credible human testimony (Mat 28:19) These are more than enough, are they not? What stopped them from believing the gospel was not the lack of knowledge but their stubbornness. More often than not, unbelief is about what a person wants, not about what he knows.

John alluded their hardheartedness to what Isaiah had prophesied in Isa 53. Isaiah had asked a rhetorical question: "who has believed what he heard from us?" The expected answer to this question is much the same as when a modern person uses the expression "who cares?" The fulfilment of this prophesy had both a immediate application to the people during that time, and in the future for this is true also to most people today. Sadly, the nation of Israel had rejected their own Promised One (John 1:11, Mat 23:37; Rom 10:16–21).

Moreover, John quoted Isa 6:10. By doing this, John is saying that God can, and does, use "hardening" and "blinding" as a form of judgment—should a person does make up their minds themselves in rejecting Him. In Exodus, God speaks of how He will "harden the heart" of Pharaoh to prolong the plagues demonstrating God's glory (Ex 4:21). Eventually, God does just that (Ex 9:12). But God doesn't influence Pharaoh until Pharaoh has repeatedly and frequently hardened his own heart (Ex 7:13, 22; 8:15, 19, 32). In other words, God is gracious and doesn’t delight in man’s hardening heart.

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John 12:27-31 ESV

27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

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27 “Ngayon ay nababagabag ang aking kaluluwa. At ano ang aking sasabihin? ‘Ama, iligtas mo ako sa oras na ito?’ Ngunit dahil dito ay dumating ako sa oras na ito. 28 Ama, luwalhatiin mo ang iyong pangalan.” At dumating ang isang tinig mula sa langit, “Niluwalhati ko na, at muli kong luluwalhatiin.” 29 Narinig ito ng maraming taong nakatayo roon at sinabi nilang kumulog. Sinabi naman ng iba na, “Isang anghel ang nakipag-usap sa kanya.” 30 Sumagot si Jesus, “Ang tinig na ito'y dumating para sa inyo, hindi para sa akin. 31 Ngayon ang paghatol sa sanlibutang ito. Ngayon ang pinuno ng sanlibutang ito ay palalayasin.

LIFT UP JESUS

As one fully human, Jesus experienced the same emotions as anyone else [Heb 4:15]. Thus, Jesus was "troubled," implying an agitation or disturbance, given all He knows of what's to come (John 19:1,16) In the midst of this, He sought to glorify the Father, praying, “Father, glorify your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The people around Him heard it literally. But, some claimed that this sound was only thunder and they seemed to dismiss it as something mindless, natural, and meaningless. That's an appropriate parallel to modern-day skepticism, where mounting evidence of God's influence in nature is brushed aside. Whether it's a lack of spirituality (1 Cor 2:14) or outright stubbornness (1 Tim 4:2), the result is the same.

Others have a less-skeptical interpretation, which is to assume the voice they heard was that of an angel. Both, however, find themselves in a moment of decision. As Jesus will explain, these events serve as "signs" that ought to lead people to faith (John 12:30–36). Those who reject God will have no excuse for their disbelief. Later verses in this same passage make this idea very clear (John 12:37–40).

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