The Church of Divine Guidance Sunday morning Adult Bible Study is embarking on an exhaustive study of the book of John. Of the four gospels, John’s gospel presents Jesus as God most forcefully. John explicitly declared Jesus to be God who brought all things into existence. John’s gospel confirmed that Jesus was YHVH of the Jews . He is light and life . These are the notes of that study along with the recorded audio of the session.
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| Jesus washes His disciples' feet |
Review
Last week we talked about Mary, Martha and Lazarus’, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, anointing Jesus’ feet with a jar of very expensive perfume and then drying them with her hair. One of the disciples, Judas, criticized her for wasting an expensive jar of perfume which could have been sold and the money given to the poor. Jesus however told them not to criticize her because her act was a prediction of Him being anointed for burial.
John 12:4-8 (NLT)4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said,5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.”6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial.8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
When the people realized that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast they welcomed His as the Messiah and shouted to Him to save them now from the Romans. However He didn’t come into Jerusalem as royalty at all but as a humble poor person riding a donkey, which was prophesied but nobody realized it at the time.
John 12:12-19 (NKJV)12 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,13 took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' The King of Israel!"14 Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written:15 "Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, Sitting on a donkey's colt."16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
The religious leaders were really upset because it felt like the whole world was following Jesus and since they didn’t believe that He was the Messiah they need to get rid of Him and Lazarus because it was because of Lazarus so many people were following Jesus.
John 12:19 (NLT)19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!”
In response to some Greek men asking to see Him, Jesus talked about why He had to die and what the results of His death would do.
John 12:23-26 (NLT)23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
Today
We’ll pick up from there today.
John 12:37-43 (NLT)37 But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him.38 This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: “LORD, who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm?”39 But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said,40 “The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts— so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and have me heal them.”41 Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory.42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.43 For they loved human praise more than the praise of God.
The people had actually seen Jesus do miracles. They were Jews, so they prayed to God. They expected the Messiah to come. But still they refused to believe in Jesus.
In some ways, it is the same today. God has given to people the freedom to choose what they believe. People see that God answers prayers. They hear the good news about Jesus. But still they refuse to believe in him. It is important to remember this when we tell other people about our faith. We must tell people about Jesus and that they can only receive*salvation by means of him. That is our duty as Christians. But people can choose to believe in Jesus or to reject him.
Isaiah lived about 750 years before Jesus was born. At that time also, the *Jews had many rules that they obeyed. These rules had become very important to them. Sometimes, it seemed that the rules had become more important to them than God himself. This verse is from Isaiah 53:1. The people at that time rejected Isaiah’s message about God’s judgement and salvation. They did not recognise God’s power in this message.
Isaiah 52:7,10 (NLT)7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! 10 The LORD has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.
Isaiah’s words in verse 40 are difficult to understand. It seemed as if God himself caused the people to reject him. But that is not really what Isaiah meant. Isaiah had obeyed God. He had told the people exactly what God had said about judgement and salvation. And God had allowed them to reject that message. They, as we do have free will to accept or reject the gospel and salvation. Their decision was very foolish. But God did not force them to change their minds.
God allowed these people to remain in this situation because it was the result of their own choice. And if people reject God’s truth, they reject God too. So God cannot help them. The Jews who rejected Jesus were like this. God allowed them to make a choice. He allowed them to remain in this situation.
Isaiah had a vision in which he saw God’s glory.
Isaiah 6:1-3 (NLT)1 It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.3 They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
John’s gospel was written to show that Jesus is God so He says that Isaiah saw Jesus glory. So when Isaiah saw God’s glory, he saw Jesus’ *glory also.
Not everybody refused to believe in Jesus. In fact, John recorded that many Jewish leaders believed in him, but they refused to tell anybody. They were afraid of the rule that the Pharisees had made:
John 9:22 (NLT)22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue.
They did not want the other Jews to reject them. They liked to be popular. They preferred to please people rather than to please God.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell people that we are Christians. Our families and friends may reject us. People may laugh at us. Some people may even hate us just because we believe in Jesus. But Jesus expects us to be honest about our faith in him. He expects us to tell other people. He will make us bold. He will tell us what to say. It is more important to please Jesus than to worry about other people’s opinions of us.
Jesus’ final public words until His trial
John 12:44-50 (NLT)44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me.45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken.49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it.50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”
This passage records the final words that Jesus spoke to the people about himself. The next time that he spoke in public was at his trial.
He repeated the most important parts of his message. He told them again that God had sent him to the earth. And when people looked at him, they were really seeing God. He reminded them that he was like a light for everybody. He gave them a choice. They could believe in him and have his light to guide them. Otherwise they could remain in their sinful ways, which is like darkness.
Jesus emphasised that he had not come to judge people. Instead, he had come to save people. Everybody had sinned. Therefore everybody deserves that God condemns them. But Jesus came to save us from this punishment.
They deserve to receive a punishment instead of God’s gift of salvation by means of Jesus.
Jesus was not just a good man who taught people his ideas about God. God told him exactly what to say. And he spoke only those words. Jesus’ words are the words of God himself.
Chapter 13
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| The Last Supper, ca. 1520, Andrea Solari, after Leonardo da Vinci, oil on canvas, currently in the Leonardo da Vinci Museum, Tongerlo Abbey. |
The next 5 chapters record Jesus’ words to his disciples on the evening before his death. He knew what would happen to him. But his disciples did not know. So Jesus wanted to prepare them for his death and resurrection. He wanted them to remember, after these events, what he had said. He wanted them to know that he loved them. And he wanted them to know that his love for them would never end.
Jesus loves us in this way, too. His love on our behalf never ends. He came to the earth because he loved us. He died because he loved us. And because of his death and resurrection, we can be with him *forever. Nothing can separate us from his love.
In the beginning of this chapter Jesus also shows us the spirit he expects in those who follow him. Greatness in Christ's eyes does not come from having many servants but from being the servant of many.
John 13:1-5 (NLT)1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist,5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
According to John, what did Jesus know about himself?
This meal, which we call the Last Supper is identified in the other gospels as the Passover Feast.
Like the other disciples, Judas had been with Jesus during three years. He had listened to Jesus when he taught. And Judas had seen Jesus do miracles. But the devil had put a wicked thought into Judas’ mind. And Judas had decided to do what the devil wanted. Many Jews expected the Messiah to fight against the Romans. Perhaps Judas expected Jesus to do this. And so Jesus had disappointed Judas. Perhaps Judas even thought that he could force Jesus to fight. Perhaps Judas thought that Jesus might fight to prevent his arrest. Or perhaps Judas just wanted the money that the High Priest paid him.
However, Jesus knew already that Judas would betray him. He knew that this was part of God’s plan to save people. Jesus knew that he had come to the earth for this purpose. He knew also that he would return to his Father in heaven.
He knew that He had come from God and He knew that He was going to return to God, He knew that He was going to die.
In light of that knowledge, what is remarkable about what Jesus did next?
Footwashing was normally done by servants or slaves. Why do you think Jesus washed his disciples' feet instead of simply talking to them about love?
So after the meal Jesus got up and did something very shocking. He had been these men’s leader for three years their mentor and now he was going to do a menial task normally performed by a servant. This is something that was normally done when someone arrived at a person’s home. A servant would wash the feet of the guest whose feet would have been dusty because there weren’t a lot of paved street so the walked in the dust and they wore sandals. Jesus did it during the meal to emphasize a point. It was a lesson in humility.
He wanted to show his disciples how to behave towards each other. He wanted to show them that they must serve each other. He did not just tell them what to do. He was serving them as he knelt down to wash their feet. He was their leader. But he did what a slave would do on their behalf. That is what Jesus wants*Christians to do. He wants us to serve each other. It is very important that leaders serve, too. We should be humble. We should not be too proud to serve other people. Jesus, God’s Son, did the job of a slave on behalf of his disciples. We should always be willing to serve each other in any way.
John 13:6-11 (NLT)6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.”11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
Was Peter simply being humble when he refused to allow Jesus to serve him?
The other disciples did not say anything about Jesus’ act. But Peter did. Perhaps he was confused because he did not expect his master to behave like a slave. He may have felt he was unfit for His master to be washing his feet. And perhaps he was unhappy because he would have preferred to wash Jesus’ feet, instead.
Jesus told Peter that he would understand later which came when the Holy Spirit came to reveal everything that had happened.
John 14:23-26 (NLT)23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you.26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
To be unwashed by Christ is to be unclean, to have no part with him The alternative of being sundered from Christ was far worse to Peter than the shame of being ministered unto in this way by his superior. Hence the impulsive inclusion of hands and head. All other parts were, of course, covered. Peter wanted nothing excluded that could be washed. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
But Peter did want to belong to Jesus. In fact, Peter wanted to belong to Jesus completely. So Peter asked Jesus to wash his hands and his head, too.
John 13:10-11 (NLT)10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.”11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
If a person was going to a feast he normally would take a bath before going so when he got there the only thing that needed washing was his feet. However again Jesus was using a physical thing to explain a spiritual thing. Because the disciples believed in Jesus they were clean but there was one among them that didn’t believe.
John 13:12-17 (NLT)12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
After he had finished washing the disciples' feet, how did Jesus explain the significance of his actions?
Jesus showed the disciples how act toward not only each other but with everybody. He was their teacher and their leader. And he was also God’s Son. Therefore, he was greater than any man or woman. But he served his disciples. He made himself humble. He did a task that slaves did.
He wanted the disciples to do the same. Of course, he was not referring only to his act when he washed the disciples’ feet. He meant any kind of act that showed love and honour to other people. All Christians must follow Jesus’ instructions about this. We must serve God and we must serve other people, too. Leaders especially should never think that they are too important to do dirty or unpleasant tasks. They should never be too proud to serve the people that they lead.
1 Peter 5:1-6 (NLT)1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
John 13:18-20 (NLT)18 “I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’19 I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM the Messiah.20 I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
Judas had been on the Lord's mind even during the foot-washing. Now it was impossible to keep back any longer the disclosure that a betrayal would occur. In great wisdom Jesus succeeded in letting Judas know that He was aware of his intentions and in detaching him from the company. He thus provided the right kind of atmosphere in which to proceed with His teaching.
When Jesus said “The one who eats my food has turned against me.” He was quoting from
Psalm 41:9 (NLT)9 Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.
Judas would not go forth as representative of Christ, but these men would. They bore the Saviour's name and authority. Those who responded would be responding to Christ. This principle is grounded in Jesus' own relation to the Father. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
When we tell people the good news about Jesus, we become his messengers (people who deliver messages). We are speaking on his behalf. So, if people accept us, they accept him, too. This is because he sent us. So they accept God the Father, who sent Jesus to us.
Jesus takes this opportunity to predict his betrayal. How would his prediction dispel any doubts the disciples might have and strengthen their faith?
Any temptation on the part of the other disciples to question the wisdom of Jesus in the choice of Judas was thus precluded, for Christ was not being taken by surprise. When the Passion was over, these men would be able to look back and believe in their Lord more firmly than ever. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
John 13:21-30 (NLT)21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”22 The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.
23 The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table.24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?”25 So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant.29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
Jesus now revealed the cause of the troubled state of his heart. A betrayer was in the midst—one of you. - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Jesus’ words caused shock to the disciples. They looked at each other. They tried to work out who would betray him. But still they did not know who the person was. It was not clear. They allowed Judas to look after all the money, because they trusted him. They did not know that he intended to betray Jesus. Judas did not seem guilty, because he hid his feelings well. Otherwise the other disciples would have known what he intended to do.
John refers to the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’. This is the first time in his Gospel that he does that. John never referred to this disciple by name. Many people think that this disciple was John himself. The 'beloved disciple' occupied a place immediately next to Jesus at the table. He could lean on the Saviour's bosom because of the reclining position customarily used - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Anxious to learn who the betrayer was, Peter, too far away to ask Jesus in person, beckoned John to inquire of the Lord - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Because of his position close to Jesus, this disciple was able to whisper to him. The other disciples could not hear their conversation.
Evidently, the disciples did not know who would betray Jesus. What does this tell us about how Jesus had treated Judas?
Judas' impending betrayal came as no surprise to Jesus.
John 6:70-71 (NLT)70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.”71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
Jesus knew Judas' intention, of course, and yet Jesus continued to minister to Judas in exactly the same way he ministered to his other disciples. No one knew from Jesus' attitude that Judas was the betrayer.
John 13:26-30 (NLT)26 Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.27 When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”28 None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant.29 Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor.
30 So Judas left at once, going out into the night.
In response to the whispered question of John, Jesus identified the betrayer, not by name but by indicating that he was the one to whom He would hand the sop, a morsel given in token of special favor and friendship. He handed it to Judas. Iscariot - The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
Jesus knew that the time had come for the most important part of this plan. He wanted it to happen quickly.
Judas is the only person described in Scripture as being personally indwelt by Satan.
Apparently Judas was seated next to Jesus, on the opposite side from John. The word of command that dismissed Judas was unconnected with the betrayal in the minds of the others.
The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
How do the disciples interpret Jesus' instruction to Judas ?
Knowing that Judas was their treasurer, they assumed that he was being sent out to make purchases for further feasting or else to share something with the poor. It was night. In a writing so sensitive to symbolism and underlying meaning as this Gospel, these words must have special significance.
So Judas left the room and he went outside, into the darkness. His physical act, when he stepped from the light into the darkness, emphasised his spiritual attitude. He had left Jesus, the light for the world, to do what the devil wanted. Nightfall was also important for another reason. Jewish festivals begin at nightfall. So at this moment, the Passover began.
John 13:31-38 (NLT)31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him.32 And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son.33 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going.34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.
With the exit of Judas, the stage was rapidly being set for that series of events that would bring glory to the Son and to the Father. In death Christ would be glorified in the eyes of the Father. The Father would see in the death of the cross the fulfillment of his own purpose. Only after the Resurrection would the disciples sense the glorification. -The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
It was God’s plan that his Son, Jesus, should die as a sacrifice on behalf of all people. By means of his death, Jesus brought glory to his Father. His Father brought glory to Jesus when he made him become alive again. And Jesus received glory when he returned to be with his *Father in heaven.
Although Jesus would die soon he knew about the glory that he would receive, but, the disciples did not understand this.
When Jesus went to heaven, they would not be able to follow him immediately. This was because they would not die immediately. So Jesus knew that they would be sad. They would be sad because they had separated physically. But they had not separated spiritually. Later, Jesus explained how the Holy Spirit would come to help them. And he would come to guide them.
John 14:26 (NLT)26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
What was "new" about Jesus' command?
Jesus gave an important command to his disciples and to all Christians. He told them to love each other. ‘To love other people’ was not a new command
Leviticus 19:18 (NLT)18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Plus He had given the parable about the Good Samaritan to emphasize that we should love everybody even our enemies. H even proved it by talking to the woman at the well and spending several days with the Samaritans.
What’s new is to love people as much as Jesus loved people, and that was very different!
Jesus showed how much he loved us by means of his death. He became asacrifice on our behalf. He suffered the punishment that we all deserve. He loved us when we were sinners. He continues to love us, even when we do bad things. He even loves people who reject him. Jesus loves people in a way that is completely unselfish. That is the way that Christians should love each other. This kind of love is more than just a feeling. We show it by means of what we do on behalf of other people. We should help people and we should not expect a reward. When people hurt us, we must not hurt them back.
Other people often watch how Christians behave. They want to know if our faith makes us different. Love is the evidence that we follow Jesus. Other people will notice this. They will realise that this kind of unselfish love is very special. And they may ask us about Jesus. They may want to know how and why we are able to love in this special way.
This love is the one described in the Greek word agape which is the kind of love Paul described in
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
But Peter did not want to talk about this new command. Instead, he wanted to talk about Jesus’ statement that he was leaving them. Peter seemed to think that Jesus was going to another place on the earth. So Peter could not understand why he could not come, too. He considered that he was one of Jesus’ most loyal disciples. Peter said that he was ready to die for Jesus.
However Jesus knew what would happen later that night. Such self-assurance called for a sad rebuke. Later that same night, Peter denied that he followed Jesus. Peter told people that he did not even know Jesus!
It is easy to make big promises to God when we do not have trouble in our lives. We may just be boasting. (To boast means to praise oneself.) But God knows what is in our hearts. He knows whether our promises are sincere. We do not know always what we would do in a difficult situation. If we want to remain loyal to Jesus in every situation, we must show this in our daily lives. We must talk to him often. We must read the Bible. We must trust him to guide us. And we must obey him, whatever he asks us to do, whether big or small tasks. Then our faith will increase and it will become stronger. We will have the strength to remain loyal to him always.
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