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In preparing his unsuspecting disciples for what was about to take place the very next day, Jesus taught them three important lessons that would help them in the days ahead and which are still helpful for us as His followers today.

Christ wants His disciples to remember;

1. His authority - ‘He is in total control!' (vs. 18-30, cf. vs. 3)

- Why did He choose Judas?

- To fulfill prophecy, vs. 18b (cf. Ps. 41:9)

-To move the redemptive plan of God forward, vs. 27-30

-To demonstrate how to love people with compassion and common grace, vs. 22-26

*In the midst of seemingly chaotic and unexpected events, Christ’s disciples must believe and hold on to the truth that Jesus is in complete control of every detail. (Rom. 8:28 – “In his providence, God orchestrates every event in life – even suffering, temptation, and sin – to accomplish both our temporal and eternal benefit” John MacArthur.)

Are you resting in His authority?

2. His glory - ‘the visible manifestation of God’s excellent character’ (vs. 31-32)

- Jesus is the glory of God

- The cross, was the supreme place where this divine radiance of God’s glory was visibly displayed in Christ (vs. 32)

Today the glory of God continues to be revealed through
- creation in general (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:20)
- humanity in general (Gen. 1:26)
- church in particular (2 Cor. 3:18, 5:20?)

*We have been rescued out of darkness into the kingdom of the Son he loves to reveal the excellence of His character (cf. Col. 1:13). God’s glory was revealed in and through Christ as he willingly obeyed the Father’s will, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ’s glory will be revealed in and through us as we willingly obey all that he has commanded through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we look at Jesus, we see God and understand who He is. When the world looks at us do they see Jesus and understand who he is? One of our core values is, ‘we believe showing people Christ is who we are’ (Acts 1:8)

Are you reflecting His glory?

3. His love - ‘the new standard for Christian community’ vs. 33-35

- What was ‘new’ about the command in vs. 34 versus the command in Lev. 19:18?

a. It is sourced in Christ’s love for us

- Because He first loved us, we can now love Him and must love others (cf. 1 Jn. 4:19-20)

b. It identifies us as the body of Christ (vs. 35)

- Disunity within the body of Christ will significantly hinder our effort to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20).

“Love on display in the church is the church’s most powerful apologetic" (defense of what we believe). J. D. Greear

Are you replicating Christ’s love to others?

The Apostle John wanted those who read and heard his gospel to have their confidence in Christ’s authority, His glory and His love built up in their minds and hearts. I trust that goal has been achieved in our minds and hearts today.

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