4 reasons to take comfort from Christ’s betrayal
I. Take Comfort in Jesus’ Meticulous Faithfulness to His Word (v. 18-30)
A. The Scripture must be fulfilled (v.18b)
John 13:18b - ...it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, “HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.”
B. Every morsel of Scripture must be fulfilled (Psalm 41:9)
Psalm 41:9 - Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
1. The betrayer is a close friend
2. The betrayer ate his bread
II. Take Comfort in Jesus’ Sovereign Choosing (v. 18a)
John 13:18a - I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen...
A. He chooses His children because He loves them
B. He chose to be betrayed because He loves His children
III. Take Comfort in Jesus’ Care to Help His Children
A. To help them believe (v. 19)
John 13:19 - From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.
B. To help them be prepared for what is to come (v. 31-38)
John 13:31-38 - Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately. Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You right now? I will lay down my life for You.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I say to you, a rooster will not crow until you deny Me three times.”
IV. Take Comfort in Jesus’ Trouble (v. 21)
John 13:21 - When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.”
A. Jesus’ death takes on our sin and our trouble so that we can follow Him with untroubled hearts
B. His death means we will follow Him to heaven (v. 36)
John 13:36 - Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?” Jesus answered, “Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; but you will follow later.”
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