I. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
A. TEXT: John 13:21-30
“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." Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "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. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 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. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”
B. Vs. 23 says that John was leaning on Jesus - in other words – inclining to His heart. When he leaned on Jesus’ chest, he could hear His heart. That’s because, unless you are leaning on Him – you won’t hear His heart! And when you don’t hear His heart – you won’t know the direction He has for you!
C. Bosom – near the chest area. Bosom = In the East objects are carried in the bosom which Europeans carry in the pocket. To have in one’s bosom indicates kindness, secrecy, or intimacy (Genesis 16:5; 2Sam 12:8). Christ is said to have been in "the bosom of the Father," i.e., he had the most perfect knowledge of the Father, had the closest intimacy with him (John 1:18)
D. Our Lord carries his lambs in his bosom. In other words, He has a tender, watchful care over them (Isaiah 40:11).
E. Bosom - the hollow formed by the upper forepart of a rather loose garment bound by a girdle or sash, used for keeping and carrying things (the fold or pocket)
F. Remember what Jesus said in Luke 6:38 about giving - Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
G. The Jews of those days, at their suppers, reclined, supported by their left arm, on couches placed round the table, as the Greeks and Romans did. On each couch there were two or three persons; and the head of one of them came near to the bosom of him who reclined above him on the same couch. The person here mentioned was John, the writer of this text, who always had a place at table which was nearest to the Lord.
H. In this text - other than the obvious central figure – being Jesus – there are 3 more characters represented: Peter, John, Judas.
I. The motto for Covenant Life Church is “Loving. Living. Growing.” I began thinking about what it takes to live out these three principles. And, from this text the Lord showed me three other principles that apply to each:
Leaning = Loving *Listening = Living * Learning = Growing
II. LEANING on Jesus!
A. Proverbs 3:1-10
My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life. And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, your vats will overflow with new wine.
B. Verse 2 says: For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. Can you say “live long and prosper?”
C. I want you to notice some things from this text in Proverbs. Leaning brings favor (vs. 4); Leaning brings direction (vs. 6); Leaning brings divine provision (vs. 8)
D. Judas ate His bread dipped in His cup –then went out and betrayed Him!
E. Psalm 41:9 says: Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against Me.
F. This speaks of turning away from Christ –possibly even to the point of backsliding. Eating His bread, having partaken of His sacrifice (bread =Body) and drinking of His cup (wine = Blood) – and still able to turn away from Him???
G. Psalm 41:9 says “my familiar friend”- indicating a once close relationship. We know Judas even betrayed Jesus with a kiss – the global sign of affection and love – but this time it meant deceit and betrayal.
H. This is why we must learn to lean on Jesus for everything in our life!
I. Leaning will cause you to Listen to His heart!
J. Joshua 24:23 Now therefore put away, [said he], the strange gods which [are] among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel.
K. I Kings 8:57-58 The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.
L. Proverbs 4:20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
M. Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
N. So, you’ll notice that to lean – or to incline leads to listening!
III. LISTENING to Jesus!
A. Through several Scripture references, I want to show you what will happen to your life and your spiritual well-being by simply ‘listening’ to the heart of God!
B. This is what will take place when you heed the voice of Jesus. Look at these references with me:
James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. (NLT)
James 1:23 For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. (NLT)
Hebrews 2:1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them [to] thy sons, and thy sons’ sons… (KJV)
Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them… (KJV)
Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. (KJV)
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares. (KJV)
C. Basically – all of these Scripture references are indicating that by taking heed to – listening and hearing the voice of God – and obeying His commands, we will avoid traps, and snares of the enemy and not falter and sin!
IV. LEARNING from Jesus!
A. So, we’ve discovered that if we lean on Him – we’ll hear His heart. And if we listen to His hear, we’ll ‘learn’ some things!
B. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all [ye] that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.
C. So, earlier we learned that to lean leads to listening. Well, now you’ll notice that to listen – or to incline your ear to His Word is to learn of Him!
D. Deuteronomy 5:1 Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. (KJV)
E. To learn means to increase in knowledge and revelation. Revelation of God’s Word comes from hearing His voice and His heart which comes from leaning on Him! It is a process that we must keep!
F. Listen to this: Proverbs 1:5 A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels… (KJV)
G. Romans 15:4 says For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.(KJV)
H. John was the only disciple who sat this close to Jesus. And, several times throughout the Gospels, when John is mentioned, no name is used – but rather the term – “the one whom Jesus loved.” Did Jesus love John more than the other disciples? Of course not.
I. But His love for John may have been slightly different – not more – just different. Why? Because John had a heart for Jesus – John truly loved Jesus and desired to be close to Him – intimate with Him. Not in a sexual, deviant or perverted way as today’s world would think. No, rather, a loving, compassionate, servant way. Just as we too should desire intimacy with Him often! He desires it with you!
J. While others were arguing over who they thought should be most important and first in the kingdom – John was leaning on Jesus! Listening to His heart! Hearing what He was saying. He was close enough to Jesus for a whisper.
K. So much so that, some scholars indicate that the reason the disciples didn’t fully understand what Jesus was doing sharing the bowl with Judas – just as He said He would do – instead that they He told Judas to take the money box and go out and feed the poor – they thought that’s why Jesus said ‘Go do what you have to do.’ Some Biblical scholars say that it was because Jesus merely whispered to John. John asked Jesus – at Peter’s suggestion to ask – ‘Lord, is it I that will betray You?” That’s when Jesus said it would be the person who He gave the bread to.
L. I don’t know if that’s true or not – it would explain the disciples not understanding why Judas was leaving the room. Either way, John was close enough to hear Jesus’ voice – and hear His heart as He spoke it!
M. While the others were arguing over who would be first in the kingdom, John was leaning on Jesus’ breast. All they could see was themselves and one another, but all John could see was him. While Peter was making promises that he could not keep to be faithful to Christ until death, John was leaning on Jesus’ breast. While Judas was counting his money, John was leaning on Jesus’ bosom. While some were finding fault, John was leaning on His chest. While the others listened to themselves and one another, John was feeling the Lord’s breath, listening to His heartbeat, feeling the warmth of His love.
N. Sitting close to Jesus is not a matter of pride it is priority. It is not showmanship; it is spiritual necessity. It’s not even about position – because ANYONE can sit that close to Jesus if they desire!
O. But it IS about that one thing – DESIRE!
P. WHAT DO WE DESIRE? DO WE DESIRE INTIMACY? OR DO WE DESIRE INFAMOUSY?
Q. Some will say – “Well, bless God, His WORD promises that He will give me the desires of my heart!” You know, you’re right – but that’s NOT ALL He said.
R. Listen to that passage:
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (NKJV)
S. What does it mean to ‘do good*”? Doing good speaks of obedience.
T. James 4:17 says: to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. (NKJV)
U. You see, John was faithful to the heart of Jesus until the very end. This man was the same man whom Jesus relinquished all authority and protection of His own mother to him. John was sincerely after the heart of Jesus. Just as David was after the heart of God in the OT, John would have been the man after the heart of Jesus in the NT. You see, John chose to be in the place where few of the other disciples cared to tread – leaning on Jesus. Fact is, the closer Jesus got to Calvary and His cross, the fewer and fewer disciples there were.
V. In fact, if you read John chapter 19 – you’ll see the text there describes who was present at foot of Jesus’ cross – it speaks of Jesus’ mother, Mary, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, Mary Magdalene and… “the disciples whom He loved..” (vs. 25-26)
W. Listen: The same one who stood by His cross is the same one who sat by His side.
X. You will never be successful standing until you take some time sitting.
Y. When all is said and done - when it comes time to take a stand, you will find out who has been truly sitting at the feet of Jesus!
Z. God will give to you special revelation, privilege and insight when you stand where others do not dare stand! This speaks of true intimacy!
V. Standing and Sitting
A. You will have to first sit and stand before you can truly serve. The reason is – when you lean on Him – and hear His heart and listen to His Word – and learn from Him – you will truly recognize Him when others won’t.
B. That’s because you have spent intimate time alone with Him. As a pastor I often have people ask me how they can hear the voice of God and know – without doubt – that it’s truly God’s voice. The only answer to that is this – you can’t know His voice – you can’t recognize Him – unless you’ve spent time with Him. You can’t know His voice unless you CHOOSE to lean not to your own understanding but in ALL your ways acknowledge Him!
C. Jesus said it would be His sheep that KNOW His voice. Sheep spend A LOT of time with their shepherd. They are close to their shepherd. Sheep know their shepherds voice because they FOLLOW his every WORD! They would literally find themselves lost without Him.
D. Look at this text: John 21:1-7 Later Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there-Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, "I’m going fishing." "We’ll come, too," they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn the disciples saw Jesus standing on the beach, but they [didn’t know] who he was. He called out, "Friends, have you caught any fish?" "No," they replied. Then he said, "Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get plenty of fish!" So they did, and they couldn’t draw in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!"
E. Once John heard His voice – and heard His command – He knew it was Jesus! He could recognize that voice anywhere! Why? Because John had been found many times leaning on the everlasting arms!
F. John had been close enough to Jesus to come to recognize his whisper; he surely would recognize his shout!
G. What GREATNESS would become of John? Well – although it surrounds a bit of controversy, we do know that this disciple – John was the one who was exiled to the island of Patmos and saw even more and had even greater revelation than ANY of the disciples and ANY of the other writers of the books of the Bible – as John penned the book of Revelations. John saw what others could not see! He saw visions and received revelations of things still YET to come!
H. You can have a deeper, fuller, and more cultivated relationship with God, if you are willing to begin by sitting near Him and listening to His voice.
I. Leaning. Listening. Learning! And look at the revelation and growth that can come by doing those three things!!! For John it was being adopted as Mary’s new son. For John it was writing 22 chapters to one of the most well known books of all mankind revealing powerful and tremendous prophecies of things yet to come! What can it mean for you??? I wonder!
