Told In Advance - John 13:19

The apostle John wrote how Jesus washed His disciples' feet, and told them “you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me”, and in chapter thirteen and verse nineteen of his book John shared how Jesus told His disciples, “I tell you before it comes” where we read:

Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am he.

The verse reads, “Now I tell you before it comes, that, when it is come to pass, ...” John began with the words, “Now I tell you before it comes” which means “just now and at this moment I, Jesus, speak to, affirm, maintain, exhort, command and direct you, disciples of Jesus, prior to and in advance of the lifting up of the heel arises and appears”, “that, when it is come to pass” or “so, at the time and moment the lifting of the heel happens or comes on the scene” the following will be the disciples' reaction. John shared how Jesus told His disciples about this “lifting of the heel” or “betrayal” in advance of it appearing so they would respond in the following way.

The verse goes on to say, “... you may believe that I am he.” John continued with the words, “you may believe” which means “you, disciples of Jesus, may think to be true, be persuaded, trust in, rely upon and have confidence in” “that I am he” or “that I, Jesus, exist as the One sent from God who would be betrayed”. John shared how Jesus told His disciples about the “heel being lifted up against” Him prior to it happening because when it occurred, His disciples would “trust in and have confidence” that Jesus was indeed the One chosen to be “betrayed”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus wanted His disciples to know about the one who would betray Him in advance of “Judas” doing so. Jesus was sent to the earth by His Father God to become the “Savior and Lord” of the world. He was to be betrayed by His disciple “Judas” who would deliver Him over the authorities that would judge, condemn, torture and kill Him. All these things were according to the plan and purpose of God, and Jesus fulfilled all scriptures concerning the role of the Messiah in the world. Anyone who surrenders their life to Him will be forgiven of their sins and receive everlasting life from God. Those who are wise will yield themselves to Jesus who is the “Savior and Lord” of the world.

Next time John shares how Jesus tells His disciples, “He that receives whomsoever I send receives me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".