‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CALVARY

JOHN 13:1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

I don’t know if you ever realized it but the Gospel of John is unique even among the other Gospels. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels because of the similar vision they share. Not that there is a shred of contradiction in any of them of course but the Holy Spirit inspired John differently in his presentation of the greatest true story ever told. One of the differences is the amount of attention given to the last few days of Christ’s time on earth during His incarnation. For example, the night before the crucifixion [which by Jewish reckoning is the same day- i.e. sundown to sundown is Wednesday] to the ascension of Jesus is covered in less than 3 chapters by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Nothing wrong with that. It is perfect for the purpose the Holy Spirit had in mind. John spends 9 chapters on the same period of time. Over a third of John’s Gospel is devoted to this relatively short period of time. Almost half the chapters [9 out of 21] of John cover the evening and day of the crucifixion.

 

What did the Lord discuss with the disciples in the hours prior to His passion? He had three main subjects as presented to us here in John.

 

I. JESUS REMINDED THEM OF WHO HE IS

 

1. He is the Victorious Lord [13:13-16, 14:27, 15:14-20, 16:33]

 

2. He is the Vicarious Saviour [13:8-10, 20, 31-33, 14:1-6, 16:16-22]

 

3. He is the Returning King [14:3, 28]

 

II. JESUS REMINDED THEM OF WHO HE WAS SENDING

 

1. The Person of the Holy Spirit [14:16-17, 26]

 

2. The Program of the Holy Spirit [14:26, 15:26-27]

 

3. The Prodding of the Holy Spirit [16:7-14]

 

III. JESUS REMINDED THEM OF WHAT THEY CAN DO

 

1. The Effectual Prayer of a Righteous Spirit-Filled Man [14:13-21]

 

2. The Effectual Prayer of a Submissive Scripture-Filled Man [15:3-7, 16]

 

3. The Effectual Prayer of a Seasoned Joy-Filled Man [16:19-33]