New Commandment

John 13:31-38

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”. 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.

Notes

The Scriptures reveal that Jesus loved His disciples (John 13:1). He also expressed this by washing their feet, which only the lowest-ranking servant would do (John 13:4-5). After washing their feet, He instructed them to wash one another’s feet, which means to serve one another like the lowest servant (John 13:14). In the following text, Jesus would give them a new commandment, which is to love one another as He loved them.

1. Glory

   Judas left to betray Jesus. Then the Lord spoke about His glorification, which also glorified the Father. The cycle of glorification would continue since if the Father is glorified, He will glorify the Son. The Son of Man’s glorification is about His suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension.

   
   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 (John 13:31-32).

   Application: We believe that the Father and Son were glorified in the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It was where the justice and mercy of God were satisfied. We shall forever sing His praise and offer our thanksgiving.

   
   

2. Love

   The Lord reminded them of a statement He made to the Jews: They could not follow Him where He was going. Then He gave the new commandment that they love one another just as He loved them, which is related to serving one another. The result of this is that all people will know that they are His disciples.

   
   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” (John 13:33-35).

   Application: As believers, we must obey the new commandment, which is to love one another as Christ loved us. We may express this love in many ways, but one is service. Although the text did not say that loving one another is serving one another, we make a strong connection within the context. Thus, we love one another by serving one another.
   

3. Denial

   Peter asked where the Lord would go, and he said he wanted to join the Lord. The Lord replied that it was not yet time. Furthermore, the Lord prophesied about Peter denying Him three times before the rooster crows.

   
   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 (John 13:36-38).

   Application: Trust that the Lord knows everything. He knew that Judas would betray Him, and He knew that Peter would deny Him. There is nothing we can hide from Him, and there is nothing that He does not already know. Let us continue to trust His divine wisdom by trusting His word.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What is the connection of the betrayal to His glorification?

2. What was the new commandment? How may it be practiced?

3. What did Jesus say about Peter?