A SERVANT’S LOYALTY TO HIS MASTER
John 13:36-14:6
Introduction:
Peter returned to the subject of Jesus' departure (v. 33). He was unclear about where Jesus meant He would go. Jesus did not answer him unambiguously probably because such an answer would have created even more serious problems for him. It was not God's will for Peter to follow Jesus through death into heaven then, but it would be later (21:18-19). Jesus' answer implied that Peter had asked his question so he could accompany Jesus wherever He was going. Peter's statement was an indirect expression of affection for and commitment to Jesus.
In John 13: 36- 14: 6 especially v.37 we will notice Peter's profession of loyalty to his Master and Lord Jesus Christ when he said “I will lay down my life for thee.” And therefore I proposed that a leader/servant that has a strong attachment with Christ has two things to consider that confirm his loyalty for his Master and Lord: First, A leader/servant must be willing to submit to the will of his Master (John 13: 36-38). Second, a servant must have hope and confidence to his Master (John 14:1-6).
Body:
I. A SERVANT MUST TO SUBMIT TO THE WILL OF HIS MASTER (John 13: 36-38).
John 13:36 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow now; but thou shalt follow afterwards. V.37 Peter saith unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee. V.38 Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice (ASV).
Two things to consider as why we need to submit to the will of our master:
a. Our Master holds the blue print of the whole plans (v.36).
• As a servant and loyal follower of our Master, we should trust with His Word, and since He is our Master He knows the whole plans and everything; when Jesus said “Whither I go, thou canst not follow now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.” this statement from the Lord was begging for Peter to trust with Him.
• It’s not God's will for Peter to follow Jesus through death into heaven then, but it would be later (21:18-19). Jesus' answer implied that Peter had asked his question so he could accompany Jesus wherever He was going. Peter's statement was an indirect expression of affection for and commitment to Jesus.
b. Our Master knows our total capacity as a servant/leader (vv.37-38).
• In v. 37 Peter resisted the idea of a separation from Jesus. Peter saith unto him, “Lord, why cannot I follow thee even now? I will lay down my life for thee.” He felt willing even to die with Him if necessary rather than experience separation from Him. Nevertheless Peter underestimated his own weakness and what Jesus' death entailed. Peter spoke of laying down his life for Jesus, but ironically Jesus would first lay down His life for Peter (cf. 10:15; 11:50-52). Peter's boast betrayed reliance on the flesh. Perhaps he protested so strongly to assure the other disciples that he was not the betrayer about whom Jesus had spoken earlier (v. 21).
• Jesus as our master, He knows everything, He has the Character of as omniscient - having universal knowledge or knowledge of all things; infinitely knowing; all-seeing; as the omniscient God.
• Therefore, Christ as omniscient God, we could entrust our everything to Him as our Master and Lord because, He holds our future and He knows our limitation and I believe the reason He went on the cross and died for us, because of our weaknesses and limitations, He fixed it on the cross so that we could be a servant who is willing to submit and loyal to our Master until the end of our the day.
II. A SERVANT MUST HAVE HOPE AND CONFIDENCE TO HIS MASTER (JOHN 14:1-6).
a. A Servant must keep the promises of his Master (vv. 14:1-4).
• Jesus was troubled because of what lay before Him, and the disciples were troubled because they did not understand what lay before them. Jesus had just told them that He was going to leave them (13:33), but they had forsaken all to follow Him. Jesus had said that Peter would deny Him implying that some great trial was hanged over him or threatening him (13:38).
• I believe that God's revelations about the future should have a comforting and strengthening effect on His people (cf. 1 Thess. 4:18). This verse introduces a short section of revelation that has given much comfort to God's people as they think about the future (vv. 1-4). Jesus said in John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.” Believing in God and believing in Christ are the statements that would infold or involve, or contain in substance or essence that the servants are keeping the Words and promises of his Master.
• As a servant/leader, you have to believe in God as faithful and true in all His promises, “though you have not seen him; believe in me also, though I am going from you, and shall be absent for a while; this you may be assured of, that whatever I have said shall be accomplished”. The words considered either way are a full proof of the true deity of Christ, since he is represented as equally the object of faith with God the Father, and lay a foundation for solid peace and comfort in a view of afflictions and persecutions in the world.
b. A servant must acknowledge the Person and Character of His Master (vv. 5-6).
• Jesus is the Way:
- He was the leader in the road, the guide to the wandering, the teacher of the ignorant, and the example to all.
• He is the Truth:
- He is not only true, but truth itself: this may regard his person and character; he is the true God, and eternal life; truly and really man; he is the sum and substance of all the truths of the Gospel; they are all full of him, and centre in him. It is said, that he is the living God, and King of the world, characters that well agree with Christ.
• He is the life
- He is the Life, both in grace and glory; Christ is the author and giver of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal; or he is the way of life, or
