John 13

John 13 begins the Upper Room Discourse, where some of the most encouraging words of Jesus were spoken. The chapter begins with Jesus' encouragement to have the heart of a servant, and continues with His acknowledgement to Judas Iscariot of his upcoming betrayal of Jesus. The chapter ends with Jesus' sobering warning to Peter that before the night was past Peter would betray Jesus three times.

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:31-35, King James Version

John 13 begins what is commonly referred to as the Upper Room Discourse. Some of Jesus' most poignant and precious worlds are part of these words of encouragement to His disciples. At the end of the Last Supper, Jesus teaches the disciples to develop a servant's heart, when He washes their feet. The following eight devotions take us to the end of this chapter when Jesus gives His sober warning to Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the night is over!

John 13

Heart of a Servant - Verses 1-5

Heart of a Servant! This chapter begins a discourse by Jesus during the last supper He had with His disciples before His death, known as the Upper Room Discourse. Showing a true servant's heart, he concluded the supper with a foot washing, demonstrating that we, as His children, are here to serve others!

Impetuous Peter - Verses 6-9

Impetuous Peter! How easy it is for us to identify with the Apostle Peter. There was no way that he was going to let Jesus wash his feet. Yet, when Jesus said, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," Peter replied, "Lort, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!"

Key to Happiness - Verses 10-17

Key to Happiness! One of the hardest changes we need to make in our own personal lives is that of developing the heart of a servant. Yet, according to Jesus in the 13th chapter of John, our very happiness depends upon it!

Betrayal - Verses 18-22

Betrayal! The very word brings shudders to our hearts, yet that is exactly to what Jesus was referring when at the Last Supper He said, "One of you shall betray me."

Judas Iscariot - Verses 23-30

Judas Iscariot, is a name that will forever live in infamy! The 13th chapter of John continues with the events that occurred at the end of the last supper. Oblivious to the conversation between Jesus and Judas, the other disciples had no idea what would soon take place.

God is Glorified - Verses 31-32

God is Glorified! Jesus' words, following the departure of Judas Iscariot from the upper room, remarkably reveal His acknowledgement of the accomplishment of all of the steps necessary leading up to His arrest, death, burial, and resurrection. In all of it He understood that in these things God would indeed receive glory, for the plan of salvation would be completely fulfilled.

Love One Another - Verses 33-35

Love one another! The 13th chapter of John continues with what we often call the Upper Room Discourse. Some of the greatest lessons that Jesus taught were given to the disciples during this critical time right before the crucifixion of Christ. Long would they remember this precious time they had with the Lord!

Denial - Verses 36-38

Denial! No one was more zealous than the Apostle Peter, especially in his love for the Lord, so he was extremely indignant when Jesus suggested that before the evening was over, Peter would deny the Lord Jesus Christ three times.