A New And Radical Kind Of Love

“A New and Radical Kind of Love.”

John 13:18-30

From time to time, we are asked to do self-examination of our spiritual lives and assess how we think we are doing but I’m afraid that we tend to be like the fellow in the story I heard who show-ed up to a court hearing concerning an accident in which he had been involved. His arm was in a cast, there were bandages all over him, and the exposed parts of his body were clearly bruised, scratched and cut. He was a real mess.

“Looking rather surprised, the judge asked him about his injuries. He replied, ‘Judge, I’m in terrible shape. I have cuts and scratches all over me and I’m feeling awful.’ The judge said, ‘I don’t understand this. The accident report filed by the officer says that at the time of the accident you told him you were fine.’

‘Well Judge,’ the man replied, ‘let me try to explain. I was driving my pickup truck and pulling a trailer. In the back of the pickup was my old dog Shep and my mule was in the trailer. All of a sudden an 18-wheeler sideswiped me, knocking me off the road. My pickup and trailer rolled over-and and-over, and we ended up at the bottom of a big embankment. The next thing I remem-ber, a police officer was picking his way through the wreckage. I saw him stop and examine the mule, then pulled out his pistol and shot the mule between the eyes.

Next, he got to where Shep was lying and after examining him, he shot old Shep too. Then he walked over to me and asked, How are you?’ And I said, ‘I ‘m just fine.”

Sometimes even when we say, “just fine” in reality when it comes right down to it, things may not be going really well at all. Things are not really going all that well with the Disciples; so, let me recap; the Disciples have gathered for what is to be their last meal with Jesus.They had entered into what Jesus no doubt intended to be a time of intimate sharing, arguing over who was to be considered the greatest (Luke 22:24. They had not only refused to wash each other feet, but Peter had also attempted to prevent Jesus from washing his feet (John 13:9-9). If the past is any indication of the present, they probably failed completely to grasp most of what Jesus was telling them. Moreover, Judas would betray Him, Peter would deny Him and all of them would aban-don Him. Yet despite all of this, Jesus tenderly spoke to his Disciples as to little children. This is one of the warmest and most intimate moments our Lord ever shared with His Disciples. As we read the words lets listen to the heart of Jesus.

First, Love’s Demonstration. (13:18-30)

“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ (19) Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. (20) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (21) When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” (22) Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. (23) Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. (24) Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. (25) Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” (26) Jesus answer-ed, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. (27) Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (28) But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. (29) For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. (30) Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”

Judas was one of Jesus’ Disciples, one of the Twelve. He saw the same miracles, he heard the same preaching, He had lived in close fellowship with the other Disciples. Not one of the Disciples suspected him, and yet he remained unchanged. Such is a reminder to anyone who wants to just go through the motions of following Christ. You can go to a good church, you can hear sound teaching and preaching, you can be involved in various ministries and still miss Heaven, if you are not born again.