Peculiar Desires

“I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled,'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (John 13:18-20, ESV).

Some basic desires of every human being, according to Google, are: (1) the desire for acceptance, (2) the desire for curiosity, (3) the desire for eating, (4) the desire for family, (5) the desire for honor, (6) the desire for independence, (7) the desire for power, (8) the desire for romance, (9) the desire for status, and (10) the desire for vengeance.

One will desire specifically "to have enough savings," "to have a steady job with reliable income," “to find someone who truly loves him," “be accepted by many,” “to be respected," "to be known for his talent," “to win an award or be promoted," “to have a strong social media following," “to make a difference in the world,” “to travel wherever and whenever he wants,” etc.

However, as people in this world, but not of this world, let us not limit ourselves in knowing or having just those kind of desires. Let us learn and think not just the common or ordinary desires.

So, this time, let’s explore our topic, PECULIAR DESIRES, while we study our text (John 13:18-20).

When we speak here of the peculiar desires, we refer not to our own human desire. But we refer to the desires of Jesus Christ (the Biblical Jesus, proclaimed by the Apostles) -- not His desire for Himself; but His desire for His followers. As we learn later His peculiar desires, what should be our proper response?

Let us refresh our mind that in the early verses of John 13, the writer who addressed himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” related several excellent qualities of Jesus Christ.

What is usually seen by Bible commentators is the readiness of Christ to serve, as a slave. But we see that His act of grace was highlighted, when he extended his service even to the one, who would betray Him.

But that is not just the kind of goodness of Christ that glows in the verses ahead of our present text.

In verse 1 of John 13, the Apostle John pointed out that Jesus has people in the world who belong to Him in a special way. And He loved them not just the general kind of love He has for all humankind. He loved them “to the end.” We could understand it that His love is not only up to a certain point; His love extends onward. Or, we could understand the words “to the end” as “to the fullest.”

Another remarkable or excellent goodness of Jesus we can have a glimpse is in verse 7. He is Sovereign. He does not need our permission or human understanding before He can execute His Will for us.

Next in verse 10, Jesus illustrated by His action that He cleaned or washed spiritually His people. That’s His another glowing goodness that we need also to highlight.

And in verse 11, the Apostle John inferred also that Jesus is Omniscient. He knew who was to betray Him.

Now, in our present text, our Lord exhibited again His another excellent quality by portraying, not only paramount but peculiar desires for His followers. What, then, should be our proper, logical and honoring response?

-- TREASURE HIS DESIRE (verse 18-20).

We read verse 18-20, “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 'He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.' I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."

What do we note in the text that Jesus desired for His followers? What did He want them to experience?

Let’s start with the obvious. Jesus told His disciples in verse 19, “I am telling you this now,…” He told them someone among them would betray Him, as He stated in an idiomatic way in the previous verse. Let’s finish verse 19, “…that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.”

He related to them that betrayal would happen, so when it happened they would believe or have faith in Him. It does not mean they didn’t have faith before, but it would be increased and strengthened. And that they would believe not just in a human Messiah.