The Failures of Jesus – Pastor Dan Farm

 

 

As we begin our study into the single greatest evening in the history of the world, we are going to look at the failure of two of Christ’s closest friends.  We are also going to see life lessons from Jesus that changed the world in this short time period.

 

N.T. Wright gives a wonderful account of this evening and introduces the events with a story about sheep.  He states that sheep know instinctively that the slaughterhouse is a bad place.  They can smell it in the air, their senses perk up and they know this is not a place for them to be, it is a place of danger and they can sense or smell it.

 

The truck that hauls them to the slaughter house will pull up to a ramp, the gangplank will lower for them to walk off and they will freeze in place, they will refuse to budge.

 

Now if you work at the slaughterhouse, you have to be smarter than the sheep, or you will have a frustrating and short-lived career.  Therefore, they devised a plan to get around the problem of stubborn sheep that refuse to die.

 

They keep other sheep on site, sheep that live at the slaughterhouse, who become familiar with the surroundings and they do not mind that other sheep are being slaughtered.  They have become used to their surroundings.

 

What happens is that the slaughterhouse workers will take the resident sheep up the plank and onto the truck, they then lead the resident sheep back down and he has no worries, he has done it hundreds of times.

 

The other sheep, the soon to be slain sheep will see this resident sheep leading the way and have no problem following it to their graves.

 

Do you know what the slaughterhouse calls the resident sheep?  Judas!

 

Our passage for today brings into contrast, the three disciples who, in this gospel, are in different places.  First, we have the “beloved disciple” – John, the author of the gospel.

 

The reality is that John is probably a late teen at this time in his life.  He is the son of Zebedee, and the cousin of Jesus on his mother’s side. 

 

Now imagine the relationship between the two.  John who is younger, but, looks up to his older cousin his entire life.  It is easy to understand in this context why John refers to himself as “the beloved disciple”, because he was Jesus’ little cousin, they were family and I am sure Jesus had poured into this young man his entire life.

 

You see, Jesus probably had a special affection for John. There was a special place in the heart of Jesus for him. 

 

We see that the other disciples didn’t resent this relationship. After all, he was only a teenager and not a great threat.  That is probably the same reason that the Romans allowed him to stand at the foot of the cross.  He was just a young man and did not pose a threat to them carrying out the crucifixion.

 

As the Scripture points out, he and Jesus were so close that he was the natural selection to ask Jesus the question the others all wanted to ask.

 

As you can see, people who shared a meal in those days, and especially the Passover reclined as a symbol of freedom.  You see, free people could lounge in liberation, where as slaves sat or stood. For the Jewish people, Passover symbolism their freedom from Egypt.

 

The passage tells us that John was reclining close alongside Jesus.  He could rest his head near the heart of Jesus.  In this position, he could also whisper to him and hear what Jesus would softly say back to him.

 

This is truly a wonderful picture of intimacy and friendship.  And as we take in this lovely picture of community, it stands side by side with one of the greatest pictures of friendship betrayal and failure.

 

Not long after the incredible example of foot washing and servant leadership, and close intimate contact, Jesus comes out with a shocking statement that one of them is going to betray him.

 

We learn a great deal about the disciple’s relationship at this time, because no one knew who he was talking about.

 

When we look at paintings of the Last Supper, it is always easy to spot Judas.  He is the evil, diabolical looking villain.  It is easy to point him out.  He is the obvious traitor among all the disciples.

 

However, Scripture tells us that no one knew who Jesus was talking about.  That tells me that Judas was not the clear choice.  After all, he was the treasurer of the group.  That means he was the most trustworthy and probably one of the most intelligent of the disciples.

 

We also have to remember that Jesus washed his feet as well.  That is amazing when you think about it.  Even when Jesus spoke in code to him, and he went out, the other disciples didn’t understand what was happening.  Judas was not an agitator with the group.

When he left, they thought he was either running out to get more food, was going to give some money to the poor.  They thought he was out for a simple errand.

 

The passage says that the identity of the betrayer would be the one to whom Jesus would give the bread that had been dipped in the dish.

 

What’s the deal with the dipping the piece of bread in the dish and passing it to someone else?  Well, it is a symbol of a special bond or friendship between the two people.

 

Think about this, this was the sign that Jesus used to tell John, the beloved disciple, not only was it Judas who was going to sell him out, but the also what the deepest implication of that act would be.

 

You see, by dipping the bread and giving it to Judas, Jesus was showing that Judas’ actions were a betrayal of intimate, close trust and friendship between two people who had traveled through life together.

John has already told us that the devil had put the idea into Judas’ mind to betray Jesus.  Now, however, he tells us in the gospel that when Jesus gave Judas the bread, that Satan entered into him.

 

I really don’t believe that Judas became “demon-possessed”.  The term “the satan” in Hebrew means “Accuser”.  It is a legal term for a person who brings a charge against someone else.  

 

What we see here is Judas bringing a charge against Jesus.  Accusing and seeking prosecution against his teacher.

 

There is great symbolism that is taking place in this moment.  We are seeing Judas being used by the forces of darkness to bring a charge and prosecution against Jesus, the light of the world.  This ultimate confrontation of light and darkness that has existed from the fall of man is about to reach a climactic end.

 

If we look at the end of this section at the end of verse 30, we see the Apostle John highlighting this truth.  “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.  And it was night.”  

Judas who had walked in the presence of light now turns his back on the light and walks away from Him and he is cloaked in darkness. What a said picture indeed.

 

We learn such a great deal from Jesus about betrayal and failure in others.  Remember, during this time, in verse 21, it says that Jesus was troubled in spirit.

 

You see, when you are one who bows low and washes the feet of others, and when you give yourself generously to others, and when you open yourself up to deep and authentic relationships, you will experience the pain that only the wounds of a trusted friend can bring when they fail you.

 

I think that is why Jesus told him to do what he had to do quickly. You see, Jesus was fully aware of what awaited him, he was fully aware of the betrayal of one of his closest friends, whom he had just shared three years of his life with and just moments before had washed his feet and fed him with such honor.

 

And I believe as Jesus reflected on all this, his troubled and agonized spirit didn’t want this to go on any longer than it needed to, so he told him to do it quickly.

 

After Judas leaves, can you sense a new spirit in the room?  Have you ever been in a room, where there are a number of people in a group having a conversation and it just seems a little shallow or uneasy? 

 

But, once a certain person leaves, it seems like everything opens up and people begin to really connect and be real with each other.  Have you ever experienced that?  If not, I hate to tell you this, but you are probably the person they want to leave!

 

Anyway, when Judas leaves, there is this sense that the eleven remaining men in the room really draw close to one another.  There is an excitement in the room and Jesus begins to tell these men things he could not tell them when Judas was in the room.

 

This is the point where Jesus begins his departure discourses.  From this point on until the end of Chapter 16, Jesus is explaining that he is going away and they can’t go with him just yet.  These next few chapters are some of the most beautiful and intimate writings you will come across in your life, as well as theologically rich.

Listen to verses 31 and 32:

“When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.”

 

Jesus calls himself the Son of Man in verse 31.  This is only the second time that he has spoken in this terminology.  He is using this term from Daniel 7:

“As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

Can you sense the excitement in Jesus?  He reminds me of times when I have been in an African American church.  You’ve got spirit-filled saints shouting Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! 

 

That is what Jesus is doing here. He is absolutely besieged with God’s glory and the opportunity he has to glorify God as he now turns to the backstretch of his ministry.

 

We see in the next verses, the humanity of Jesus.  He feels deeply as the reality that he is leaving his disciples behind becomes more real. 

 

He has only been with them for three short years and now the time has arrived for his departure. 

 

I know a year ago when I stood on this platform and said good-bye to you was one of the most difficult moments of my life.  I can also understand his crying out Glory as we returned!

 

 

 

I can only imagine his feelings as he prepared to leave his disciples. 

 

You see, when a person realizes that they are leaving someone behind or even more impactful, that they are dying, their final words and admonitions are strategically chosen and spoken.

 

You see, Jesus realizes that his time with his disciples is drawing to an end and there is so much that they have yet to learn.  We can see how much they have grasped of his teaching by the questions and attitudes they have.

 

Up to a few hours ago, they were still fighting as to who the greatest among them and they are so consumed with solving the mystery of the betraying disciple that they don’t hear Jesus clearly as he foretells his future.

 

So Jesus starts this final discourse of instruction with the simplest and clearest and hardest command of all.  He describes it as a “New Command.” 

 

I have done a great deal of study in the Old Testament, and I thought to myself, what is so new about this command, The Old Testament is full of commands to love others and to love God.  I couldn’t see why this was a new command.

 

I then realized that the newness of this command is not found in the charge, but in the application.  They were to love one another in the same way that Jesus loved them.

 

I really don’t know if they truly comprehended and appreciated what Jesus had been doing on their behalf. 

 

He had just finished washing their feet and Peter opens up his big and spontaneous mouth and says, “Well if you are going to wash my feet, hose me down, cover my whole body!”

 

Jesus is asking them to copy his life. 

Ø     He wants them to remember the foot washing

Ø     How he prayed to his father,

Ø     how he challenged the arrogant and defended the weak. 

Ø     How, he was an advocate for those who had none, and defender of the defenseless.

 

He wanted them to look back on his entire life and to find themselves in the pattern and example he had left for them. He was a suffering servant. 

 

A teacher who was willing to wash feet, not so others could see him washing feet, so he could receive recognition, but because love demanded that he take on the role of a slave and serve his fellow man.

 

You see, love is all about the other person.  The great commands are love God and love others.  Jesus is transferring his badge of honor, this life of love and service and compassion onto the disciples. 

 

What does this love look like to you and me? I see at least three characteristics that were unusual about his love:

First, it was a love without respect of persons. He did not love people who were nice to love, as we do. He chose to love the unlovely: people who were rejected, difficult to love, looked down upon, and held in contempt by society.

He loved them, not because he wanted the good feeling of love, but simply because they needed love and his love responded.

This is the characteristic of his love. It goes out to people who need love regardless of what they are like, no matter how dirty, leprous, hurtful, proud or arrogant they may be. It goes out because they need love, without respect of persons.

Secondly, That love will be expressed in deeds, not just words. It will not be mere talk about love, singing songs about love or calling oneself loving and not showing it. Love will be expressed in deeds.

Remember the Lord's words at the scene of the last judgment when the sentence is pronounced to those on the right hand of the judge:

 

 

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…” (Matthew 25:34-35).

Deeds, not words.

Thirdly, It is a love without end.

This is how John describes that love where he introduces the whole chapter in these words, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love."

He never gave up on them. He loved them as long as his love could do anything to reach them. And his love included even Judas. The love of Jesus reached out to all.

This is the badge that the Christian community wears today before a watching world.  Verse 35 says – “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 

Can I be honest with you, that statement makes me cringe.  Because I have seen over the years the way that we can treat each other and this is not the pattern we want to leave for those around us who are watching.

 

Therefore, my friends, let us commit to one another to live this life of love, this life of Christ-likeness so that when the world looks at the way we treat each other, it is absolutely irresistible to them.

 

Well, as this section ends, we run into the disciple who is attention and focus challenged.  I taught Middle School students for a number of years and I swear that Peter is smack dab in the situation.

 

Jesus just finishes his charge to them to love one another as he has loved them and what is Peter’s response:  “UH, Where are you going?”

 

 

 

If you’re Jesus you have to take a step back and try to connect the dots to Peter’s thought process.  You see, Peter is going back to Jesus’ statement in verse 33 – “Where I am going, you cannot come.”

 

Jesus just finished giving some of the most challenging words ever spoken and Peter didn’t even hear him. 

 

Ladies, have you ever had a conversation with your husband and all of the sudden he looks like a deer in headlights when you ask him a question, because he has no idea what you were talking about?  His mind is back on a conversation that took place 5 minutes ago?

 

Anyway, we once again see the patience of Jesus.  He and Peter banter back and forth with Peter blurting out anything that comes into his mind.

 

However, the conversation comes to an abrupt end.  Peter makes a statement and he doesn’t understand what he has just said.  Peter says – “Lord, why can’t I follow you, I will lay down my life for you.”

I just imagine that statement taking away Jesus’ breath.

 

“Will you really lay down your life for me, Peter” says Jesus.  I can just imagine his face when he says this.  It must be bittersweet, maybe a sad smile.

 

Because what Jesus is saying is – Is it really you that’s going to lay down your life for me?  Have you forgotten what the good shepherd does for his sheep, he lays down his life?

 

The reality is Peter, what you are about to do is something totally different; it is something that we drive you to the edge of sanity.

What Peter lacked was the understanding of love. Peter thought that he loved Jesus, and he did -- with all the human emotion of which he was capable.

But he had not yet learned to walk by the love of Christ for him. He had not yet learned to find his identity, not in his efforts to try to be something in himself, but in the acceptance of Jesus for him.

 

That is the secret. Jesus knew that. Peter, with the utmost dedication of his flesh, with complete sincerity of heart, could say to Jesus, "Lord, I know where you're going -- you're going into death. And I'll lay down my life with you." And Jesus understood that. He said, "Peter, thank you. But before the rooster crows, before the morning breaks, you will have disowned me three times."

Yet you remember that story at the close of John's Gospel, in which, after the resurrection, Jesus gathered with his disciples on the shore of Galilee. He had built a fire for them, and had laid some fish on to the fire to cook, and they had breakfast together.

While they were eating, Jesus said to Peter, "Peter, do you love me?" And Peter said, "Lord, you know I love you." Again he said, "Peter, do you love me?" "Lord, you know I love you." And once again, "Peter, do you love me?" And Peter said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that now that I love you."

 

 

And it was then that Jesus said, "Peter, feed my sheep," (John 21:15-17). He commissioned him when Peter learned what love, Christ-like and modeled love, really is.

When he learned how to draw upon the available love of Jesus for him to strengthen him in order to reach out in love for others, then Jesus sent him out with a worldwide commission to feed the sheep of God.

And here lies the difference between the two disciples who failed Jesus.  Judas walked away from the “Light of the World” into darkness and eventually committed suicide.

Peter though he hid in the dark, repented, ran back into the light and learned how to live a life of love and purpose.

This is where John leaves us in this account -- helping us to see how thoroughly Jesus knows us, how thoroughly he understands us and sees all that is going on in our lives.

 

 

He shows us that Jesus is ready to impart to us the great secret by which we can fulfill that impossible demand -- to give up in order to gain, to lose in order to win, to go down to defeat in order to arise to victory.

It is as we learn to love by the model love of Jesus, and to draw upon him, that "... by this all men will know that you are my disciples."

May we always draw toward the Light of the World as we reach out to each other and the world around us in selfless, irresistible Christ-like love. 

“This new command I give to you – Love one another as I have loved you.” 

May this be our Lifesong!