1. People Will Know You Are My Disciples - John 13: 21-38 

The scene is the upper room. Jesus has finished washing the feet of the disciples. In v21 Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Jesus is emotional, as a close companion is his betrayer. This is a tough time. Only Judas knows the truth. 

Peter wants to know who the betrayer is. He asks the disciple whom Jesus loved to find out. John then asks, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answers that it is the one to whom he gives the bread. Jesus then passes the bread to Judas. This is also a moment of love toward Judas. However, Judas is unmoved. So, Jesus says to Judas, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” No one knows why he leaves. Satan has put the temptation into his heart to betray Jesus. Judas goes off to betray the Lord. Here is evil at work, “And it was night” (v30). Now is the hour. The events are set in motion.
 

The Personhood of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is a person not simply an influence, or power, or force. The Holy Spirit has spoken, and he is referred to as ‘He’ and not ‘it’. John 16v13 The Holy Spirit is spoken of as a person. He is the Comforter or Advocate. John 14 v16 and v26. He may be grieved. Isaiah 63v10 Eph 4v 30. The Holy Spirit is outraged by apostasy. Heb. 10v 29. Yes, blasphemy against him is the worst of all sins. Matt 12v31 and Luke 12v10.

The Time of God’s Glory (13:31-33) Jesus’s life was all about God’s glory. Here is perfect obedience and the perfect revelation of the Father. Jesus saw his death in terms of pointing to the Father in the power of the Spirit. Jesus will pay the price. Five times Jesus says “glorify” or “glorified.” Remember what the apostle Paul said in Ephesians. We are to be the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:12). How can God be glorified in our lives? John focuses on one way.

All People Will Know That You Are My Disciples (v34-35)
The Holy Spirit is sometimes spoken of as the love that flows between the Father and the Son. Jesus now gives a new commandment. The command to love one another. But it is not new. See Lev.19:18, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” But there is more for we are to: “Love one another, just as I have loved you.” Christ’s love shows us the new basis for love. We are to reveal this love in action. In v34 Jesus says, “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” This is the new standard.
In v35 we see this kind of love is the mark of discipleship. Love will be how all people will know we are Jesus’ disciples. Love for others reflects our new status. Love is giving ourselves. God is glorified when we love others like Jesus loved us.

The biggest criticism of Christians is that we do not show love each other. Remember it is loving to warn people if they face being cut off from God. The Holy Spirit, both points us to Jesus but also shows us our need of Jesus.

Is our love marked by self-sacrificing love? Is this seen in marriages? Is this the love that spouses show to each other? In family life, how do we display love both parents and children? Are we aiming for each other’s best interests? In church, when we come together submitting to and serving each other shows the world that we are disciples of Jesus. Jesus showed this love in the Upper Room with His disciples and Judas. This love is also seen by how we live with all people.

The Holy Spirit wants you to be his ambassador. The Spirit of Jesus says that the goal is to let all people know that we are His disciples.
Pursuing Jesus v36-38
Peter takes hold of something Jesus says. Jesus said, “Where I am going you cannot come” (13:33). Peter asks where Jesus is going. Jesus tells them that they cannot follow Jesus now, but afterward they will follow him. Peter is perceptive about what Jesus is saying. Peter responds in verse 37. “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Peter understands what following Jesus now means. Peter says he will go to death for Jesus. Jesus has said that these disciples cannot follow him now, but they will follow him in this manner later. They will not give their lives now for Jesus. But they will later, after the resurrection. Peter is going to deny Jesus now but will follow Jesus to his death in the future. Here is the point: the disciples were not ready yet to follow Jesus all the way.

Conclusion
All people will know we are disciples of Jesus when we go all the way in self-denial. This is the only way to love. This is the love Jesus showed us. This is the love that is the new commandment. This kind of love is only possible with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study 1 Questions
Everyone Will Know You Are My Disciples - John 13: 21-38
Q1. What image do you most associate with the Holy Spirit – dove? fire? wind? something else? Why is that image helpful?
 
Q2. How does Jesus in this Upper Room evening show God’s total sovereignty in handling what happens as the story develops? Look carefully at the following verses and note what they show?
v18
v21
v26 & 27
 
Q3. Where and how will God’s glory be most plainly shown (v31-32)?
 
Q4. Reflecting on God’s glory (v31-32) in what way is this different to the way we normally think about glory?
 
Q5. Jesus knew about both Judas betrayal and Peter’s denial. How does this make his earlier foot washing even more powerful and special?
 
Q6. In v34-35 we are called upon to love one another. How do we show this in the life of a local church and believer in the 21st century?
 
Q7. How might the Holy Spirit help us to love, serve and strengthen the church today? In what ways is the Holy Spirit helping us to grow in our faith even in tough times?

Next study: Study 2 A time of Questions (John14:1-14)