This past Sunday we started our new series from the "Farewell Discourse" in John. Jesus has only one night left with his closest group of friends... and in John 13 we see him stooped down in a dirty towel scrubbing filth from their feet (v 1-17). He endures the betrayal of Judas (v 18-30) and then calls those that remain to love each other in unthinkable ways (v 31-35). This chain of events left Peter indignant and self-confident: "Lord... I will lay down my life for you."
How often we're just like Peter... we think we know what we're supposed to do and we know that we can do it so we pipe up, "I'm in! God, YOU can count on ME." Unaware of our weakness and unwilling to consider an alternative, we figure that all God wants is for us to imitate Him... yet somehow- Jesus isn't flattered.
Instead, Jesus corrects Peter (correcting us in the process). The way to love others like God isn't to try and flex our muscles of imitation. We'll fail (like Peter) and deny our love for God (like Peter)... and ultimately receive the same promise as Peter: "I am going to prepare a place for you."
Peter wasn't qualified for heaven because of his strength but because of his willingness to be washed by the One at his feet. Only Jesus is the Way that Christians can love like God. We're not called to imitate Him; instead, we love others only when we depend on Him. In many ways, that's what this series is going to declare for us: what will it mean to depend on Christ as the Only Way to God? And answering that question is critical for us to bring glory to God... because we don't glorify God simply by our imitation but by our dependence on Him. Here are some questions that might help... you could discuss a few of them this week in Community Group:
- How are you currently serving and loving others in God's Kingdom?
- Do you see ways that God has given you gifts and abilities to do this?
- What came to mind as we unpacked the "new commandment" to love like God?
- Why is Jesus' statement in 14:6 offensive to people today?
- Have you ever struggled with the idea that Jesus is the ONLY way to know God?
- In what ways do you think you try to follow Jesus' example without depending on Him for strength? (be specific)
- As you think about Jesus' promise in verses 12, how does it seem possible that we could do "greater works than these"? How does that encourage you about God's plans for you?
- As you consider Jesus' promise in verses 13-14, how could you pray differently about what God is doing in your life right now?
