The Lord’s Last Words To His Disciples

THE POWER OF PARTING WORDS

The Lord’s Last Words To His Disciples

Many famous people have spoken interesting parting words before they died. Some were funny, some tragic and some full of meaning. Some didn’t say anything important as they didn’t expect to die. General Sedgwick, a Union Commander in the Civil War, said just before he was shot, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance!”

On the other hand, Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170 AD, uttered real words of faith before he died. He had clashed with King Henry 2, and the king was overheard wishing to be rid of Becket. His knights took him literally, rode to Canterbury and killed Becket in the cathedral. His last words were, “I am ready to die for my Lord, that in my blood the Church may obtain liberty and peace.”

When someone knows he is about to die, he doesn’t waste words. And the hearers pay close attention because of the solemnity of the occasion. They hang on every word to capture their full import.

His Parting Words
Jesus knew that within a few hours He would be crucified. He had trained His disciples for three years for the work ahead, to establish His Church by turning the world upside down with the gospel. His parting message in the upper room was like a commencement speech. The training was over; it was now time to begin working.

The disciples had walked with Jesus – seeing His miracles, growing in understanding of His teachings, and increasing in love for Him. They recognized that He was truly the promised Messiah who would one day reign in righteousness and peace. However, they did not understand that soon He would be crucified as the Lamb of God’s provision, so that all people could be saved and become a part of the Church that would replace the failed religious system of Judaism.

As the disciples prepared for the Passover feast Jesus would prepare them for what was ahead. He would summarize what He had taught them and pray for them as the great Intercessor.

The Lesson In Feet Washing – John 13:1-17
No doubt the disciples were tired, hungry and glad to rest as they prepared for the Passover. As the Law demanded, they were ceremonially washed before they could eat the meal. But on entering the upper room, Jesus did something strange. He washed their feet! Usually this was done by a servant, or person low on the social ladder. Jesus did something the disciples didn’t understand or appreciate.

When He got to Peter, the disciple brashly said, “No, you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me,” and He began teaching by example. Peter didn’t want to be excluded so he said, “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Though well-intentioned, again Peter missed the point.

Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean.” The Lord was referring to two aspects of the new life – salvation and holy living. When we are born again by the Spirit, we are washed in the blood, forgiven and made righteous. However, in this world we come in contact with sin, and our walk becomes contaminated. The disciples had walked to the upper room, so their feet needed washing.

This illustration helps us see that a believer doesn’t lose his salvation when he sins, because he has already been cleansed by Christ’s work. But his fellowship with God suffers because of unjudged sin. He needs to confess that sin to have his “walk” cleansed and fellowship restored: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9 NIV). This is how the Lord cleanses us from sin and the world’s contamination.

After the Lord washed their feet, He asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so ... Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (Jn. 13:12-16).

His message is this: We continually need to allow Him to “wash our feet” with the water of His Word. We also should help others by “washing” their feet, and let them wash ours. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We need to serve His people as He did.

“A New Command I Give You” – John 13:31-38
Jesus warned that He would be betrayed, but the disciples could not comprehend that one of them could do such a thing. Even when Jesus indicated who it was they didn’t get it. When Judas went out to betray Jesus it was night, a sign that all who reject the Lord go into darkness.

Jesus had another important pronouncement to make. The fullness of His love was about to be shown on the cross. He wanted His disciples to be characterized by that same love, first among themselves and then to the world. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (Jn. 13:34).

The Lord told them he was going away and that they could not follow. Peter’s response was typical: “Lord, why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You” (Jn. 13:37). What a surprise when Jesus pointed out that he could do nothing in his own strength even when motivated by love and devotion. He learned this that night when in fear he denied the Lord three times. However, the Lord told him a wonderful truth that would help all His disciples when suffering severe trials for His name: “I have prayed for you” (Lk. 22:32). Jesus was his intercessor, and His prayer assured that Peter’s faith would not fail and he would be again useful for the Lord. This same promise is good for us as we come to appreciate that the Lord is our great High Priest and Intercessor (Heb. 4:14-16; 7:24).

“I Will Come Back” – John 14:3
The Lord explained more fully why He would leave His disciples. He was going “to prepare a place” – their heavenly dwelling place. At the right time, He would come again to take all His followers to be with Him. He then laid down the basis for forgiveness of sin and reconciliation with God. Mankind has been separated from God because of sin, but the Sin-bearer was to die in the sinner’s place, and “whoever comes to Me I will never drive away” (Jn. 6:37). Those who come to the Lord would have new life and be accepted by God. Jesus told them, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6).

The Promised Holy Spirit – John 14:15-31
The disciples couldn’t grasp what Jesus said about His leaving. They imagined that He’d soon be King, and they’d share in establishing His earthly kingdom. However, His plans were far greater: He was about to establish something entirely new in contrast to the national blessing promised to Israel. Israel would come into those blessings later, but meanwhile the gospel of God’s grace would spread to every nation, and He’d use these men to begin that work. Apart from Him they could do nothing; Peter had been told this. How could they continue what Jesus had been doing, and “even greater things” (Jn. 14:12) if Jesus was no longer with them?

The Holy Spirit would come to live in them after the Lord’s return to heaven. Speaking of the coming Comforter He said, “The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you” (Jn. 14:17). He would be their comforter, the director of their work, and would empower believers to live and fulfill the ministry given them. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (Jn. 14:26). The Spirit within would be everything needed for a life of service.

The Holy Spirit would be at work convicting people of their need of a Savior – of their sinfulness, of the high standard of God’s righteousness which they could never attain, and of the coming judgment for all who do not come to God through the Savior. “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned” (Jn. 16:7-11).

The Lord then reminded them that the Spirit would be their teacher, ever revealing more of the Lord and His purposes. “But when ... the Spirit of truth comes ... He will guide you into all truth ... He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you” (Jn. 16:13-14). It was in the Spirit’s power at Pentecost that these men would preach and many would turn to Christ.

A Life Of Fruitfulness – John 15
To engage in their ministry, they needed to have faith, love the Lord and obey His commands (Jn. 14:12-15). To be fruitful in their ministry, they needed to stay connected to Jesus. He used the illustration of a vine and branches. If the branches are not attached to the vine there could be no life flowing into them and there would be no fruit. However, when there is communion with Christ, the Spirit is able to produce fruit. First, it is the fruit of the Spirit who is seeking to complete His work of producing the character of Jesus in every believer (Gal. 5:22). Then there is the fruit of the ministry each believer has according to the spiritual gifts given by the Spirit. “To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:8-9).

As we abide in Christ, we will be fruitful: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (Jn. 15:7-8).

The Lord’s Prayer – John 17
The Lord warned the disciples that there would be trials, but they would have peace if they trusted Him. He had overcome the world. This was one of the purposes of the Lord’s talk with them. He gave them foreknowledge of His plans, and encouraged them to cling to Him. In Him they would have peace no matter how difficult the trial (Jn. 16:33). “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

The Lord concluded His time with them with a most beautiful prayer for them, and also for those who would follow – including us today! “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message” (Jn. 17:20). His intercessory prayer for the disciples is significant. They had been brought into a relationship with God through His work. He had revealed the Father, and they came to believe that Jesus had come from the Father. Jesus had protected His disciples while He was with them, and now He prayed for their protection in His absence, and that they be protected from the evil one (Jn. 17:12,15).

A major thought in this prayer is that the Lord desired that His followers maintain unity among themselves: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name ... so that they may be one as We are one” (Jn. 17:11). He even included us in His desire for unity: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me ... and have loved them even as You have loved Me” (Jn. 17:20-23). This is the Lord’s prayer for us. Knowing this, we should do all we can to keep this “unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).

Life-Changing Words
If the last words of Jesus are as meaningful to us today as they were to His first disciples, our lives will be transformed, just as their lives were, and we will experience the same joy in living for Him and serving Him.

By Ian Taylor