John 13:18-20 (WEL) “I’m not talking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but it was so Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted his heel against me.’ [Psalm 41:9] 19 “I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM. 20 “Very truly, I say to you, ‘The one who receives whomever I send, receives me, and the one who receives me, receives him who sent me.’”
V18 “I’m not talking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen, but it was so Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted his heel against me.’ [Psalm 41:9]
This refers to the previous verses showing the value of serving your believing brother or sister. Jesus states that He is not referring to all who are present.
Principle: Jesus knows what people cannot and/or do not know.
The 12 Apostles had been chosen to be special envoys, messengers, and witnesses. Judas was also chosen. Judas evidently had followed Jesus long enough before Jesus chose His disciples to appear as a wonderful, faithful, loyal, and dedicated follower when the opposite is the reality. See Acts 15:8, 1 Kings 8:39, and Matthew 9:4.
The mention of heel is important. In Genesis 3:15 (heel is satan) and Psalm 41:9 (not only the devil but a man influenced and used by the devil).
V19 “I tell you this now before it happens, so that when it does happen, you may believe that I AM.
Another proof that Jesus knows the future. He genuinely knows, not just decrees it, as some theologies teach. Prophecy is a proof of God for only God knows the future.
V20 “Very truly, I say to you, ‘The one who receives whomever I send, receives me, and the one who receives me, receives him who sent me.’”
A principle the Jesus sends which is a servant being commissioned to go to minister.
If people accept this servant, they also accept God, His message, His kingship, His rules, His worldview, etc.
Those who accept Jesus as Messiah, also will accept a sent servant, for they have the same message.
Principle: To know and recognize, we must read and study the Bible in its plain, normal sense.
We learn:
- That Judas was a camouflaged and masquerading tool of satan.
- Jesus knows the future.
Questions:
- Are you situationally aware of false teachers, pastors, and others?
- Do you accept prophecy interpreted in its plain, normal sense?