1 A Life of Love: John 13:31—14:4
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A Life of Love
John 13:31—14:4
The great religions had founders, and the founders had disciples. But none evoked such awe, affection and loyalty in his disciples (even despite bewilderment) as did Jesus Christ, the God-Man.
Bafflement breaks surface as Jesus talks to them before his betrayal. What does it mean for God to glorify himself in Christ and Christ in himself? What does it mean that the Spirit, Father and Son will be with and in them together, in revelatory action? All that is beyond them, as their questions show.
But Jesus is directing them to a life of loving him and each other, of looking longingly for him to take them to his home, and of listening to his words so as to learn more—and he’s teaching them that life could begin there and then. Today he calls us to the same life pattern, starting from where we are here and now. Will we say yes?
GROUP DISCUSSION. When, how and why have you stayed close to someone even when separated by distance?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. Who has loved you at a time when love was difficult? How have you been impacted by that love? Thank God for it.
It is Jesus’ last evening with his disciples. He has washed their feet and told them to serve one another in a similar way; he has instituted the sacrament of Communion with bread and cup, proclaiming it as his own body and blood; and he has announced that one of them will betray him that very night. Judas immediately left the table. Read John 13:31—14:4.
1. If you had been an unseen observer during this whole evening, what questions would you have wanted to ask after the dialogue of these verses?
2. “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” says Jesus at the end of his announcement of upcoming events. Why might the disciples need that admonition at this point?
3. Peter asks two questions in this scene. How might the answers he receives bring both comfort and alarm?
4. With your own perspective of this scene today, what can you understand about Jesus’ answers that Peter might not yet have understood?
5. Immediately after Judas left the room, Jesus uses the words glorify or glorified five times (13:31-32). Once again using your hindsight, what all can you now see that Jesus meant by “glorify” and “glorified”?
6. Of all the final commands Jesus might have left with his followers, why do you think he now says, “Love one another”?
When have you been the beneficiary of this command?
7. Jesus describes the love his followers are to cultivate by saying, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34). Think back over what you know of the life of Jesus. What scenes of love stand out in your mind?
8. How is Jesus’ promise in verses 14:2-4 an expression of his love for his followers?
9. Consider one relationship where love is difficult for you. If you were going to love this person as Christ has loved you, what would you begin to do—and not do?
10. Jesus continues his description of love by pointing to a result or purpose: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (13:35). What does this statement suggest about the goal of Jesus’ ministry and about what the impact of it will be?
11. Consider the cluster of “disciples” to which you belong and prayerfully reread Jesus’ “new command” of 13:34. What needs to happen in your cluster of Christ-followers for you to fully meet this command?
Thank God for the good work that he is doing among and through your community. Ask him to bring about any needed change.
Now or Later
Jesus told his disciples, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you.” If you belong to Jesus, he makes the same promise to you. Take time to explore your thoughts and feelings about heaven. Compose a painting, poem or song that expresses some of these ideas. Use it as a prayer to Jesus.