Several things caught my attention as I read this chapter. For instance in verses 3-4 Jesus was fully aware or conscious of who He was when He was washing the disciples’ feet. Often we struggle to serve others when we are too conscious of our status. Knowing how submit our pride to the needs of others is a Christ-like behavior. I was also struck by Jesus’ words in verse 17. He simply and powerfully tells us that blessing comes from obedience – from knowing and obeying what He says. It is not enough to simply know what the Bible says. We must do what it says.

Yet as I read this chapter my mind and heart were drawn to a truth that hangs over this whole chapter – indeed hangs over the entire story of Jesus movement toward the cross.

The hour of Jesus death is fast approaching and the drama builds in this chapter as Jesus eats the Passover with His disciples and tells them that one of them will betray Him and another will deny Him.

In John 10:18 Jesus told us that no one could take His life – He was laying it down of His own initiative. Those who are plotting to kill Jesus don’t realize that God is going to use their evil to accomplish a greater good. Reading these final chapters of John I cannot help but recall Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

When we suffer and choose to trust God – we are following Jesus’ example.

When we suffer and choose to trust God – Jesus knows how we feel.

When we suffer and choose to trust God – we are not alone.

When we suffer and choose to trust God – we win.

Pastor Steve Hogg