The Gospel of John: Expository Sermon #52
John 13:31-38
True Glory, True Love, True Discipleship(The Message Given on the Night Judas Left)
Sermon Notes & Reflection Guide
1. Listening to the Word
- Among the key themes of today’s sermon—“True Glory, True Love, True Discipleship”—which one spoke most deeply to you, and why?
2. Questions for Understanding the Passage
- [True Glory] Why is the “true glory” Jesus speaks of the complete opposite of the “glory of thirty pieces of silver” that Judas pursued?
- [True Love] What kind of love does Jesus mean by the “true love” that becomes the standard of the new commandment He gives? (v. 34)
- [True Disciple] In light of Peter’s confident promises that ended in failure, what must a true disciple rely on—not personal passion or resolve, but what?
3. Questions for Application
- Am I, in my life right now, pushing Jesus to the background in order to gain “thirty pieces of silver”—the approval of the world, material security, or personal comfort?
- When I hear Jesus’ words, “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another,” who is the brother or sister I am called to embrace and love in a tangible, Christlike way?
- Have there been moments when, like Peter, I relied on my own passion and determination only to fall? In what area of my life do I need to lay down my strength and depend more fully on the Holy Spirit?
4. Sharing Together
- This week, as we remember the love of the cross, let us share one small but concrete act of service we can intentionally practice.
Pray
- Lord, lead us to long not for the empty glory of this world, but for the true glory revealed in the cross.
- Help us to love our brothers and sisters not by our own strength or willpower, but by the love You have shown us.
- As we now come to the Lord’s Supper, allow us to deeply partake in the body and blood of Christ, and renew us as true disciples.
Why Did Jesus Say That Peter Would Deny Him Three Times?
Jesus was fully aware that the Scriptures were being fulfilled as He approached His death. He knew that the disciples He had gathered in Galilee would scatter when the Shepherd was struck. Their scattering would arise from fear and confusion, yet it was also part of God’s sovereign plan. Jesus had to face the hour of suffering alone; the disciples were not able to stand with Him in that moment.
In Peter’s case, his three denials stand in dramatic contrast to Jesus’ three prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane. While Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father three times, Peter would deny Jesus three times.
Yet Jesus’ prediction was not merely a word of condemnation. Jesus told Peter, in effect, “This is not the end. You will turn back, and when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” After Peter’s denial, Jesus graciously gave him three opportunities to reaffirm his love, and three times He recommissioned him for ministry. Peter’s restoration stands as a powerful encouragement for all believers who, under pressure, may falter and deny the Lord.
Jesus’ prophecy exposed Peter’s failure, but it also already included his restoration and renewed calling. This reveals the way God works—He knows human weakness, yet He uses it to shape His servants into stronger instruments for His purposes.
- Bibliography
Wright, N. T. Mark for Everyone. Translated by Hye-Won Yang. Seoul: IVP, 2021.
Park, Young-Sun. God’s Passion: Where Does Faith Come From? Edited by Sun-Hyung Moon and Jung-Yoo Kwajung. Seoul: Mugunghwa Press, 2017.
Kruse, Colin G. The Gospel According to John. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Translated by Yong-Deok Bae. Seoul: Christian Literature Crusade, 2013.
