The Weekly Show: Episode 53 - John 13:21-14:14

Join Tim and John as they talk about life and study John Chapter 13 Verses 21- Chapter 14 Verse 14.

Theme: https://uppbeat.io/t/northwestern/a-new-beginning

Transition Song: https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/

Introduction to John 13:21–14:14

“Trouble, Betrayal, and the Promise of Hope”

This section of John's Gospel marks a turning point in the Upper Room narrative. As the shadow of the cross grows darker, Jesus reveals deep truths to His disciples—not only about what is to come, but about who He truly is.

The scene begins with painful revelation: Jesus predicts His betrayal by one of His own. The disciples are stunned, and confusion fills the room. As Judas leaves into the night, Jesus turns His attention to the rest—those who would carry on His mission. He gives them a new commandment: to love one another just as He has loved them.

Then, as Peter boldly declares his loyalty, Jesus foretells his denial. The tension and sorrow rise—but Jesus responds not with despair, but with comforting words that are among the most quoted in all of Scripture:

“Let not your heart be troubled…”

In John 14, Jesus reminds them—and us—that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the only path to the Father. He offers hope, reassurance, and the promise of greater works to come through the power of prayer and the presence of the Spirit.

Themes to Watch For:

• The tension between betrayal and faithfulness
  
  
• The call to love as Jesus loves
  
  
• The comforting promises in the face of fear and uncertainty
  
  
• The profound claim: Jesus is the exclusive way to the Father
  
  
• The invitation to believe, ask, and do greater things in His name

This study calls us to examine our hearts, trust His words, and live in the power of His promises—even in troubled times.

 

Point One: One of You Will Betray Me (John 13:21–30)

Context & Setting

The atmosphere in the Upper Room is already heavy. Jesus has just demonstrated the depth of His servant-hearted love by washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1–20). But now, He drops a spiritual bombshell:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (v. 21)

This is not a parable or cryptic warning—Jesus speaks plainly, and the room is stunned into confusion and sorrow. The betrayal is not from a stranger, but from someone close—a friend, a companion, a disciple.

Emotional Tension

• Jesus is troubled in spirit (v. 21), showing the emotional weight of this moment.
  
  
• The disciples are uncertain—even Peter doesn’t know who Jesus means.
  
  
• John, the beloved disciple, reclines close to Jesus and asks the question directly.

The Dipped Bread – A Sign of Intimacy & Tragedy

Jesus says the betrayer is the one to whom He gives the dipped morsel—a gesture normally associated with honor and affection at a meal.

"So when He had dipped the morsel, He gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot." (v. 26)

This act is layered with symbolism:

• It’s a final act of kindness to Judas.
  
  
• It fulfills prophecy (Psalm 41:9): "Even my close friend in whom I trusted...has lifted his heel against me."
  
  

Satan Enters Him

Once Judas receives the morsel, Scripture says,

“Satan entered into him.” (v. 27)
Judas had opened his heart to greed (see John 12:6), and now he becomes an instrument for evil.

Jesus says, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Judas leaves into the night—a literal and spiritual darkness.

Key Lessons & Reflections

• Jesus knew the heart of Judas and still loved him to the end (John 13:1).
  
  
• Sin doesn’t happen suddenly—Judas had been nurturing it secretly.
  
  
• Spiritual blindness can exist even among the religious and the close.
  
  
• The sovereignty of God is seen even in betrayal—nothing is outside His plan.

Application for Us

• Guard your heart: Betrayal begins long before the final act.
  
  
• Check your motives: Are you following Jesus out of love or convenience?
  
  
• Recognize Christ’s mercy: Jesus still gave Judas a final invitation—a morsel of grace.
  
  
• Walk in the light: Don’t let secret sins drive you into the night.

Point Two: A New Commandment (John 13:31–35)

Setting the Stage

As Judas exits into the night to carry out his betrayal, a shift occurs in Jesus’ words and tone. With the betrayer gone, Jesus turns His full attention to the remaining eleven—those who will carry His mission forward. He begins with what feels like a farewell speech, but it centers around glory and a new commandment.

"Now is the Son of Man glorified..." (v. 31-32)

Jesus speaks of His glorification in the face of impending suffering.

• The Cross, though horrific, is where Jesus will reveal the fullness of God’s love, justice, and redemptive plan.
  
  
• Glory is not delayed until resurrection—it begins now, in His obedience unto death.
  
  

This glorification also glorifies the Father, and the Father, in turn, will glorify the Son “at once.” This mutual glorification speaks to the unity of the Trinity and the divine purpose being fulfilled.

“Little children…” (v. 33)

This tender term reveals Jesus’ heart for His disciples. He knows His time with them is short. His words carry the emotional weight of a father figure preparing his children for life without Him physically present.

“You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’”

This echoes earlier statements (John 7:34, 8:21) but now comes with a call to love.

A New Commandment (v. 34)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

What makes this new?

• The standard: Not just "love your neighbor as yourself," but "as I have loved you."
  
  
• Jesus is raising the bar. His love is self-sacrificial, unconditional, humble (He just washed their feet!), and constant.
  
  
• This is covenant love, a reflection of divine love, not mere human affection.

Love as Our Identity Badge (v. 35)

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

• Not by miracles, or knowledge, or church attendance—but by love.
  
  
• Christian love is the ultimate apologetic.
  
  
• The world will judge Christ by how His people treat each other.
  
  

Reflection Questions

• Do we love others as Jesus has loved us—especially when it's hard?
  
  
• Do our churches reflect this love in how we speak, serve, and forgive?
  
  
• Would the world recognize us as Jesus’ disciples based on our love?

Point Three: Peter’s Denial Foretold (John 13:36–38)

Peter's Passionate Loyalty

As Jesus speaks of leaving and being glorified, Peter zeroes in on one thing: “Where are you going?” (v. 36)

Peter, ever bold and outspoken, declares:

“Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

This is classic Peter—brave, emotional, and quick to act. His intentions are noble. He truly believes he’s ready to die for Jesus. And in a way, that desire reflects his love and commitment.

But Jesus, knowing Peter better than Peter knows himself, gives him a sober reality check:

“The rooster will not crow…” (v. 38)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

This moment is sobering. The one who just vowed undying loyalty will soon pretend he doesn’t even know Jesus—not once, but three times.

What’s striking here:

• Jesus doesn’t reject Peter for his future failure.
  
  
• He tells Peter this before it happens, showing He’s in control.
  
  
• It sets the stage for grace and restoration after Peter falls (John 21).

Key Takeaways

• Zeal is not enough—courage must be rooted in God’s strength, not just passion.
  
  
• Jesus knows our weaknesses and still loves and uses us.
  
  
• Failure doesn’t disqualify us from being restored or used by God. Jesus knew Peter’s denial was coming—and He still had plans for him.
  
  

Encouragement

Even when we fail like Peter, we are not discarded. Jesus prepares us for the road ahead, even if it includes stumbling. He is faithful, even when we are not.

Point Four: I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14:1-14)

“Let not your hearts be troubled…” (v. 1)

Jesus has just revealed that one of them will betray Him, and that Peter—seemingly the strongest—will deny Him. The air in the room is heavy with confusion and sorrow. But Jesus speaks peace into their troubled hearts:

“Believe in God; believe also in me.”

He calls them to trust—not in what they feel or understand, but in Him.

“In my Father’s house are many rooms…” (vv. 2–3)

Jesus shifts their eyes toward eternity. He’s going away, yes—but with purpose:

“I go to prepare a place for you.”

This isn’t abandonment; it’s preparation. And the promise is stunning—“I will come again and will take you to myself.” The goal isn’t just heaven—it’s being with Jesus.

Thomas’s Honest Question (v. 5)

Thomas, always practical and sincere, says:

“Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

And that brings us to one of Jesus’ most iconic declarations.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” (v. 6)

“No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This is the 6th “I Am” statement in John’s Gospel. It reveals Jesus as:

• The Way – not just a path, but the path to the Father.
  
  
• The Truth – the full revelation of God, perfect and unchanging.
  
  
• The Life – eternal life is not just something He gives; it’s something He is.
  
  

This claim is exclusive, but it’s also inviting—there is a way to the Father, and it’s through Jesus.

“Show us the Father…” (vv. 8–11)

Philip says, “Show us the Father, and it is enough.”
Jesus answers with deep emotion:

“Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

Jesus is not like God—He is God made visible. To know Jesus is to know the Father’s heart, character, and power.

The Promise of Greater Works (vv. 12–14)

“Whoever believes in me… will do greater works than these…”

This promise may seem hard to grasp. But Jesus is pointing toward the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), and the spreading of the Gospel across the world.

And then He offers this profound assurance:

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do…”

To ask in His name means to ask in His authority and in alignment with His will. This is not a blank check—but a powerful invitation to pray boldly and trust deeply.

Key Takeaways

• Jesus is the way to God—there’s no need to search elsewhere.
  
  
• He comforts the troubled with truth and eternal hope.
  
  
• Belief in Jesus is belief in the Father.
  
  
• Through Jesus, we are invited into a life of prayer, purpose, and power.
  
  

Conclusion to John 13:21–14:14

These verses take us deep into the heart of Jesus just hours before the cross. We witness the full range of human emotion: betrayal, confusion, denial, love, and hope—all in the upper room, as Jesus prepares His disciples for what is coming.

What We've Seen:

• Betrayal by Judas (13:21–30) – Jesus reveals His betrayer, not with anger, but with sorrow and clarity. Even in betrayal, He remains in full control.
  
  
• A New Commandment (13:31–35) – Love becomes the defining mark of His followers. Jesus calls us not to a common love, but a Christlike one: “As I have loved you.”
  
  
• Foretelling of Peter’s Denial (13:36–38) – Even the boldest stumble. Jesus knows our weaknesses, and still invites us to follow Him.
  
  
• Comfort and Clarity (14:1–14) – Jesus assures His disciples with eternal hope: “I go to prepare a place for you.” He declares Himself as the Way, Truth, and Life, and promises that belief in Him opens the door to the Father.
  
  

Final Thoughts:

In the face of betrayal, denial, and death, Jesus teaches peace, purpose, and promise. He invites us to believe—not in our strength, but in Him. He doesn’t just point to the way—He is the Way. He doesn’t just speak truth—He is the Truth. And He doesn’t just give life—He is the Life.