John 13:18-30 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled… I. A SOLEMN TRUTH (ver. 18) — "I know whom I have chosen." Christ knows His disciples — the true and false — their works and their hearts — all they have been, are, and shall be. "He knew what was in man." Then — 1. He does not require of us what will out measure our faculties. He loves us too much, and is too just for this. 2. The services that are not rendered Him from the heart are of no value in His sight. Formality and insincerity are worse than worthless. 3. Every one that names His name should depart from evil. II. A LAMENTABLE FACT. "He that eateth bread," etc. Judas was guilty of — 1. The basest ingratitude. 2. The grossest avarice. 3. The most daring impiety. Such a fact as this shows — (1) Possibility that should lead us all to the most rigorous heart scrutiny. Here we see that a man may be in close contact with Christ and yet have no spiritual connection with Him. (2) That Christ coerces no man into His service. He leaves each to act for himself. III. A BENEFICENT WARNING (ver. 19). 1. Against a probable danger to the other disciples. Had the conduct of Judas broken suddenly on them, they might have received a moral shock which would have imperilled their faith. 2. For the purpose of fortifying their faith in the Messiah by the very means of the betrayal as foreannounced. IV. A GLORIOUS ASSURANCE (ver. 20). This shows that His faithful disciples were — 1. Identified with Him. The treatment they receive is regarded as being rendered to Him. 2. As He was identified with the Father — (1) By official work. (2) By vital sympathy. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. |
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