John 13:31-39

       Jesus has called His disciples to a frame of mind, His frame of mind (Phil. 2:5ff).  He called them to humility because that is the state in which we will receive God’s grace for living (1 Peter 5:5).  He does not call them to a new self-confidence but to a deeper God-confidence.
            Now Jesus is ready to reveal His gracious provision for them, beginning in 14:1.  But Jesus first makes it clear why they will need these great and precious promises.  There are 3 compelling reasons.
            First, Christ is going to leave them (v31-33).  He is returning to heaven, being glorified.  The one who humbles himself before God will always be exalted by God (Luke 14:11).  Thus it is with Christ.  In His perfect life and ministry Christ has glorified the Father.  Even on the cross God will be honored.  Men will see God’s perfections, including His….
            – power (God’s weakness defeats sins strength, 1 Cor. 1:18-25).
            – justice (sin will be judged in Christ, Isaiah 53:4-6).
            – holiness (the holy God will forsake His sin-bearing Son, Matt. 27:46).
            – faithfulness (His promises will be fulfilled; e.g. Gen. 3:15; John 19:36-37).
            – love (just think about John 3:16).
            Because Christ has glorified the Father, the Father will glorify or exalt Him.  Christ will return to the majesty of heaven (v33).  For the disciples this is alarming (v37-38).  They have depended on Him for every difficulty.  Thus Christ will tell them of God’s provision after His departure.
            Second, they need to know God’s provision because He is calling them to an impossible responsibility (v34-35).  His command is that they love each other.  In one sense this is the beginning of God’s provision.  The comfort they receive from this love will be critical to their success.
            But it is also a difficult command.  He is calling them to be like Him!  He is calling them to do what they have not been able or interested in doing.  They have been more concerned with status in the group (Mark 10:35-45) than love for each other.  With Christ not around, who imagines the group staying together, much less loving each other?
            The third reason Christ must reveal God’s provision is because they are so weak in the flesh.  Jesus predicts Peter’s denial, something Peter vows not to do, but which happens anyway.
            Like betrayal, denial involved unfaithfulness.  But there is this difference:  Peter will recover (Luke 22:31-32).  He will repent.  But at this point what it says is that Peter (and the rest of them) are inadequate for what lies ahead.  They need God’s provision.
            It is the same today.  Christ is physically absent; the task is impossible; and we are weak.  So let us learn God’s grace.  Let us daily remind ourselves that we cannot live the life Christ gives us without His abundant provision.  Then let us draw on that provision.