1. Betrayal (verses 18-33)
2. Faithful (verses 34-35)
3. Denial (verses 36-38)

On Friday, July 4th, we celebrated Independence Day. This year marks the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. when our founding fathers, declared their independence from Great Britain. The signing of this document launched the Revolutionary War, in which those in the colonies fought against those from Great Britain.

This American Revolution produced many heroes, like Benjamin Franklin, who secured French support in the war; and Patrick Henry, who famously said, “Give me liberty or give me death”; and John Hancock, the first one to sign the Declaration of Independence.

But none of the heroes was more prominent than George Washington, our first president. He was a military genius, who never abandoned the cause, but was faithful in doing whatever he could to see the United States of America succeed in its cause of independence. As a general in the Continental Army, against all odds, he led his men to several military victories. Even when the winter was cold and there were short supplies, Washington remained committed to the vision of a free and independent people.

But the story of the founding of America isn’t only filled with heroes. There were traitors as well. None of them are more famous than Benedict Arnold. Like George Washington, he was a talented general in the Continental Army, who fought bravely and even heroically for several years early in the war. Washington had gained such a trust in him, that he placed Benedict Arnold in command of West Point in New York. However, feeling that he was repeatedly passed over for promotion, and feeling that other officers were being credit for some of his accomplishments, Benedict Arnold defected to the other side of the war. He planned to hand the fort over to British forces, “but his plot was discovered, whereupon he fled to the British lines”^[1] His name is synonymous with “treason” and “betrayal” to this day.

There were others who faltered a bit. One such example is Thomas Jefferson. Almost all that we hear about Thomas Jefferson is his intellect and talent. Yet, as governor of Virginia in 1781, the British troops were descending upon Monticello, where he lived. and Jefferson fled for his life, rather than standing strong and fighting with his men. He never appointed a replacement for himself, but left everyone hanging. For the rest of his life he faced the charge of being a coward. He was called, the “coward of Carter’s Mountain” where Monticello was located.

We don’t hear about this much, because of how Jefferson overcame this in his public life to be the 3rd president of the United States. Jefferson argued that his training had been in education and was not equipped to be in command of armies. By in large, the public accepted this explanation. Nevertheless, Jefferson wrote that the wound upon his spirit would only be cured by the “all-healing grave.”^[2]

Why do I say all of that? Because in our text this morning, we will encounter a Benedict Arnold, who betrayed Jesus. We will encounter a Thomas Jefferson, who would flee Jesus in a moment of fear, but would later become one of his strongest supporters. With these two examples, Jesus will call us to be faithful to others, as George Washington was.

The title of my message this morning is, “Rejected Love” because that’s what we see in Judas. He rejected “Perfect Love” of Jesus. Much like Benedict Arnold, he never returned. We see Peter rejecting the love of Jesus, by denying the “Perfect Love” of Jesus in fear, and much like Thomas Jefferson, he returned to play a crucial role in the life of the church. We see Jesus calling us all to love each other, with lives of faithfulness, as George Washington lived his life always true to the American cause.

So, I encourage you to open in your Bibles to John, chapter 13.

If you remember at all from our exposition of the gospel of John, the first 12 chapters tell of the public ministry of Jesus. As he preaches to the crowds and performs his signs for all to see. He turning water into wine, healing a sick boy, a lame man, a blind man, and even raising a man from the dead! During this public ministry, there were times when the crowds were delighting in his words, so much so that they wanted to him king! (John 6:14-15). There were also times when everybody was disappointed in him, and left him, all but the 12 disciples (John 6:66-71).

John 13 begins the private ministry of Jesus with the disciples.For the next five chapters (13-17) we will see Jesus privately instructing the disciples. This is often called, “The Upper Room Discourse.”

The Upper Room Discourse began with Jesus, rising from the table, girding himself with the apron of a slave, and washing the dirty feet of the disciples. In so doing, Jesus demonstrated his “perfect love.” He loved his disciples completely, even to the willingness of washing their dirty feet. Thereby loving them until the end (John 13:1). Now, the “Perfect Love” of Jesus is contrasted with the “Rejected Love” of Judas and Peter. So let us read our text: John 13:18-38.

Let’s pick it up in the reading in verse 12, so that we can get the context:

John 13:12-38
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

I have three points this morning. We will spend most of our time on the first point, at that point has the most verses and is the dominant idea of the text. Here’s my word:

1. Betrayal (verses 18-33)

That’s the word that epitomizes the life of Judas. That’s the word that Jesus uses to describe what Judas will do.

John 13:21
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

There are various subtleties to the meaning of this word, "betrayal.” In an English dictionary, you will find such meanings as “to give aid or information to an enemy” as in “betray one’s country.” This is what Benedict Arnold did. He gave aid and information to the British Army.

Another subtle meaning of “betrayal” is “to deliver into the hands of an enemy in violation of a trust,” as in “betray a friend.” This is what Judas did. Judas betrayed his friend, the one who loved him with a perfect love. Judas rejected this love. Judas betrayed the trust of Jesus and the trust of all of the other eleven disciples.

Now, more properly, this is this is what Jesus said that Judas will do. We are in chapter 13. Judas betrays Jesus in chapter 18.

John 18:1-3, 12
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons.

So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him.

Our text this morning merely anticipates this event. There is a reason why Jesus tells this event to his disciples now. Look at verse 18,

John 13:18-19
I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

In other words, Jesus was preparing the disciples for what Judas would do in chapter 18, that they might not be surprised that one among their own number would do such a thing. But such a betrayal was necessary to take place. It was prophesied in the Scripture. In verse 18, Jesus quotes from Psalm 41, verse 9,

Psalm 41:9
He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.

Psalm 41 is a Psalm that describes the hatred of David’s enemies. In verse 5 we read,

Psalm 41:5
My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die, and his name perish?”

That’s what they say in the gate, when they were away from David. They openly wished for his death. Yet, such enemies are double-faced enough that they would never say such words to David’s face. In the next verse in Psalm 41, we read,

Psalm 41:6
And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words,
while his heart gathers iniquity;
when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

This is exactly what Judas did. To Jesus and the disciples, he never spoke ill against them. It was when Judas went out, away from Jesus and the disciples, that he told his wishes to the Pharisees, that he wanted Jesus dead.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

What makes the act of the betrayal by Judas so bad is that Judas was his Psalm 41:9 close friend in whom I trusted, This is what made the betrayal of Benedict Arnold so bad. George Washington had trusted in him! He gave him the fort at West Point to guard. So also Judas. He was trusted by the disciples. He was given the moneybag to distribute the funds of Jesus’ ministry.

In Psalm 55:12-14, David explains how difficult this was.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God's house we walked in the throng.

Betrayal of a close friend hurts. It hurts more than the betrayal of an enemy. This friend,

Psalm 41:9
... has lifted his heel against me.

“To lift one’s heal against another” is a poetical picture, which conjures up several images.

It pictures the one who kicks another in a deliberate act of aggression. It also pictures the victor, who stands above his enemy, who is on the ground. and he places his heal upon his neck in triumph! It also has an allusion back to Genesis 3:15, that great Messianic promise spoken to Satan, himself, “he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” The idea of a heel in given in context of triumph over the enemy.

How appropriate it is for John to bring up the imagery of Satan, for John comments in verse 27 of how Satan entered Judas when he “took the morsel” of bread.

Now, again, it’s not like any of this caught Jesus off guard. He knew “from the beginning who it was who would betray him” (John 6:64). But the betrayal may have caught the disciples off guard. That’s why Jesus quotes from Psalm 41. Again, verse 19,

John 13:19
I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.

Jesus says, “When this happens, just remember that I told you beforehand. just remember that the Scriptures foretold it. When you remember these things, believe that ‘I am.’”

Here we find another subtle reference to the “I am” statements in the gospel of John. Throughout the gospel of John, there are times when Jesus says, “I am.”

- “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35, 48, 51).
- “I am the light of the world (John 8:12).
- “I am the door” (John 10:7, 9).
- “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14).
- “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
- “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
- “I am the true vine” (John 15:1, 5).

But there are other times in the gospel of John, when Jesus simply says, “I am.” Like to the woman at the well, when she talked about the Messiah, Jesus said, “I am” (John 4:26). Like to the Jewish leaders when they were about to stone him, “Before Abraham was ‘I am’” (John 8:58). Like when the authorities came seeking “Jesus of Nazareth” to arrest him, Jesus said, “I am” (John 18:6). These are all Messianic allusions, where Jesus was claiming to be the great “I am” who appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3). The LORD himself! And Jesus says, “When Judas betrays me, believe that ‘I am’! I am the Messiah! I am the LORD come into the flesh!

Again, this goes back to the purpose of John writing his gospel. It’s all about believing that Jesus is the Christ. Again this is the reason why John writes.

John 20:30-31
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The betrayal of Jesus is further proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. When you believe that Jesus came to deliver you from your sins by dying upon the cross in your place, you may have life in him! Do you believe this? Have you received him? The invitation comes in verse 20,

John 13:20
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.

Here we see the Trinity. We see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Later in the Upper Room discourse Jesus will speak of sending the Holy Spirit. We have seen Jesus speak of how he has been sent by the Father. So, here in verse 20 we see the entire Godhead. If you receive the Spirit, you receive me. If you receive me, you receive the Father. Receiving Jesus is to believe in Jesus with open arms, receiving all that he is, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

This is the whole point of the gospel of John: that we would receive Jesus, that we would believe in Jesus. Oh, church family, believe in him!

And the next section of the gospel of John gives us reason to examine ourselves as to whether or not we believe. Look at verse 21,

John 13:21
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

The sense of verse 21 is that the reality of the betrayal is beginning to sink deep into the heart of Jesus. However much he was prepared for it, however much he knew from the beginning that Judas would betray him, how, when the reality hit, it was troubling to him.

I can easily compare this to when my mother passed away. It was three months ago today, April 6, 2025. We had known for months that her days were coming to an end. We knew that her time was near when she stopped eating and drinking. If you were here, you remember how I found out that she had died. It was when I was preaching. It was at that moment that a portion of grief hit me, at the full reality of what happened.

That’s what’s taking place here. “Jesus was troubled in his spirit” because the full reality was hitting him at that moment. One of his disciples would betray him.

And when Jesus announced this, the disciples were a bit confused. Not about the fact that there would be a betrayer, but about the identity of the betrayer.

John 13:22
The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.

In each of the gospel accounts, upon hearing this, the disciples immediately begin to try to figure it out. In Matthew and Mark, they said to Jesus, one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” (Matthew 26:21-22; Mark 14:18-19). In Luke we read of how they began questioning one another (Luke 22:21, 23). So also here in the gospel of John. They were uncertain. They were uncertain within themselves. They were uncertain among themselves.

They were probably as uncertain as if I would say among you formal members of Rock Valley Bible Church, all of whom have given a solid profession of faith, all of whom have demonstrated a heart to serve. You come to church faithfully. You read your Bible. You speak of the things of the Lord. Imagine if I said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Jesus” (verse 21). I think that you would be equally confused. Who is it? Is it him? Is it her? Is it me?

This is a good question to ask yourself. “Is it me?”

I remember watching Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Syth. It premiered 20 years ago (in May 2005). I was shaken after seeing that movie. I was shaken to see Anakin turn to the dark side. He was a Jedi of such promise! He showed tenderness. He was likeable, especially as a child. But he turned. I remember walking out of the theatre asking myself the question, “Is it me?” Will I turn out to be an Anakin? Will I reject the love of Christ in my life, and end up his enemy, rather than his friend?

Will you reject the love of Christ in your life?

As I put this as a hypothetical, of one of you betraying Jesus, My guess is that it’s not so hypothetical. In all of my years of ministry, I have seen enough people, who have made professions of faith, who have seemed sincere, who have a measure of seeking the Lord, eventually turn away, and betray the Lord with their words and actions.

Is it you?

In our case, we wonder who such a traitor might be. We don’t have Jesus to answer our question like those disciples did. The disciples were able to ask Jesus who it was. And they did. It came about like this.

John 13:23-24
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking.

Now to understand some of the subtleties of these words, you need to know two things. First, the disciple identified here as the disciple "whom Jesus loved," is the way that John referred to himself in his gospel (see John 19:26-27; 20:2-9; 21:7, 20-24).

Second, you need to know a bit about the meal customs of the day. For special occasions, such as this special Passover meal, they didn't sit around a table like we do with table and chairs. Rather they sort of laid on the ground, resting upon their elbow, very close to each other. So that's why we read that John was "reclining at table at Jesus' side." John would have been very close to Jesus and able to speak with him very quietly without anyone really hearing what he said.

So, it says in verse 24 that “Peter motioned John.” He may have made some sort of look with his eyes. He may have mouthed the words, “Ask him!” He may have made some subtle finger-point to Jesus. Somehow John got the message, because he did this very thing.

John 12:25-26
So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

Jesus identified Judas without saying his name. It was a sort of a code with he and Peter and John. Then tragedy strikes:

John 12:27
Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.

Here it is. The moment that Judas turned to the dark side. Now, it’s not that Judas was completely innocent up and until this point. Back in chapter 12, when Mary had anointed the body of Jesus with the expensive perfume, it was Judas who protested, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” (John 12:5). John adds the clarification, "He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it" (John 12:6).

Surely, there were other instances of unbelief, and hardness of heart in the life of Judas. He didn’t just fall into his betrayal. I’m sure it was gradual.

It’s how it always happens. You show me a pastor who falls, and I will show you a pastor who has been falling for a long time. There is a little compromise here, a little compromise there, a bit more here, then a bit more there. Finally, the public hears of the fall. To them it appears sudden, but it happened long before that in his heart.

Such was the case with Benedict Arnold. He didn’t fall suddenly to betray the Continental Army. There were hints beforehand. He was unhappy and complained. Before he came out as a traitor, he even stood before a panel of judges to be court-marshaled as a result of his misbehavior., but was cleared of any major charges. Further, before his he tried to hand over the fort to the British, George Washington published a formal rebuke against him. Benedict Arnold slid into his betrayal of his country.^[3]

So also with Judas, I’m sure that there were compromises along the way. We know about the moneybag. We don’t know about the others. But here it is. The point of no return, when "Satan entered into him" (verse 27). This is where Judas finally rejected the love of Jesus, once and for all.

How appropriate the betrayal, that it came at the moment that Jesus gave him the morsel, one last act of kindness to him by Jesus. And Judas rejected the love of Jesus.

Judas' life took a downward spiral. He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which he gave back anyway when he realized what he had done. Soon afterwards, he hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5).

But at that moment when Satan entered Judas, nobody knew what was going on. Look on at how verse 27 continues,

John 12:27b-30
Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

I love what Augustine said about this. He said, “And he went out. And it was night. And he who went out was himself night.”^[4]

Perhaps the question comes to your mind. How could Judas do such a thing? He was a disciple of Jesus. He followed after Jesus daily for three years. He was a street preacher, proclaiming the nearness of the kingdom. He cast out demons and healed the sick. He saw Jesus walk on water and calm storms and raise the dead. He helped distribute the food to the 5,000. He shared intimate fellowship with Jesus. How could this be?

John would later comment about those like Judas in his first epistle. He said, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19). Judas was never really a genuine disciple of Jesus. Jesus even knew this from the beginning (John 6:64). Jesus didn't lose Judas. He never had him in the first place.

So, if you are doubting today whether or not you are a Judas, rest on the words of Jesus: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" (John 10:27-29).

Further, rest, knowing that Judas was in the plan of God all along. Know that this all worked to the glory of God.

John 12:31-33
When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’

In the death of Jesus, God was glorified. During his high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you" (John 17:1). Judas was the means to that death. So don’t be worried about the events of the world. Don’t be worried when leaders fall. God will be glorified through it all.

Then, in the midst of Judas rejecting his love, Jesus puts forth these memorable words:

John 12:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

My word for this point is 

2. Faithful (verses 34-35)

That’s the best single word that I can come up with to describe these verses. Unlike Judas, who was unfaithful to Jesus, we are called to be faithful to Jesus, by loving each other in the same way that Jesus loved us.

Unlike Judas, who was unfaithful to Jesus, rejecting his love. We are called to be faithful to Jesus by loving others in the same was that Jesus loved.

As we love one another in this way, it will have effects upon the world. It is by our love that others will know that we are believers. The world will look upon us and see how different it is. Some in the world will want this love.

I remember long ago, before I was a pastor, we would routinely have college students over t our house. There was one man who came from a godless home. He saw the love Yvonne and I had for each other and noticed how different it was than anything that he had experienced. I'm not saying that our love is anything super special. I'm saying that he saw a Christian marriage up close for the first time. It was different than anything that he had ever experienced before. He later would tell me of this experience, telling me that he returned often to our home saying, "I wanted that love."

That's why evangelism is enhanced when it is done in community. It's good to tell others of Jesus individually. But when you can do it in the context of a Christian community, there is something special that takes place. People can see what they are hearing. Christians loving each other can have a great apologetic upon the world.

This can happen when your Christian friends all show up to help you move. This can happen when food is delivered for those in need. Neighbors take notice. They ask. They find out that it is the church who is coming to help. People know that you are disciples of Jesus. This can take place in many other circumstances. As the song goes, 

This is the importance of this body. May today are into going to church to do the "me and God" thing and then leave, without much interaction at all with the body. It's good for the world to watch Christians interact with each other.

Note how Jesus says that this is a "New Commandment." There really isn't anything new about the command to love. But the newness has to do with the degree to which Jesus calls us to love. He says that our love should be "just as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Remember, Jesus loved with a "perfect love" (John 13:1). This is the standard to which we are called. We are called to love even the Judases in our life.

As we do this, God will be glorified as we do this, somehow and some way, as we pour ourselves out to love those who don't deserve it.

So let’s love each other. I pass over these words quickly, because that’s what Peter does. It's almost as if Peter didn't even hear what Jesus said in verses 34 and 35. Look in verse 36,

John 13:36
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”

That’s a reference back to verse 33, where Jesus said, "Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’" (John 13:33). It's as if Peter didn't even hear what Jesus said about loving one another.

John 13:36-38
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Here is my word here:

3. Denial (verses 36-38)

I get the word from verse 38, when Jesus said, "the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times." Denial is different than betrayal. You can return from denial. You cannot return from betrayal. I say this because Peter denied Jesus, but later returned to Jesus and Jesus restored him.

In chapter 18, we will read about Peter denying Jesus three times (see John 18:15-18, 25-27). Yet, after the resurrection, we see Peter running to see the empty tomb (John 20:3-10). He was with the other disciples in the room with Jesus to see him alive. Then, Jesus restored him with these tender words,

John 21:15-17
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Three times over Jesus exhorted Peter to be a shepherd to the people of God. That's the meaning of the imagery of what Jesus says: "Feed my lambs"; "Tend my sheep"; and "Feed my sheep."

Do you remember Thomas Jefferson? He faltered when the British came upon Monticello. But he overcame it so well that most of you don't even know that. And when you think of Peter, his denials are not often the first thing that comes into your mind. Yes, he did scatter when the shepherd was struck (Matthew 26:31) as it was foretold. But he was restored.

So likewise with you. You can deny Jesus and be restored. Of course, I wouldn't counsel this. I would not counsel you to seek restoration on your death bed. That would be a dangerous way to live. But I say that to you if you ever lack hope that Jesus will restore you, know that the arms of Jesus are open and ready for all who come to him. If Jesus received Peter back, he will receive you back.

Even if your denial is strong and forceful. Did you see how strong Peter's profession was? "I will lay down my life for you" (verse 37). Peter claimed that he was ready to die for Jesus. I'm willing to go all in! But they were all words. Here is one of most boastful followers of Jesus ever! "I will follow you until the end!" But Peter failed in his words.

Beware the one who says, "Look at how good I am at following Jesus!" Let's be humble followers of Jesus. Let us not be proud ones who deny Jesus later, like Peter does. Let's just live our lives loving one another, as Christ called us to with his new commandment (verse 34). We don't need to be boasting about anything in our lives. Let's just be following after it.

I have seen on Social Media how many are taking selfies of going to church, as if to say, "Look a me!" I fear they may be setting themselves up for a Peter-like fall. I see many people promoting how good they are with all of their religious activity. What happens then, when they, perhaps, deny the Lord? They will bring disrepute upon the church. Let's just be those who go about humbly loving and serving one another.

You can come back from denial. Perhaps this is where you are today. You have denied him with actions and words.

We are celebrating the Lord's Supper. It's a great opportunity to come back like Peter. Consider Michael Card's invitation to come to the table:

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on July 6, 2025 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1] See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_Arnold.

[2] See https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/how-thomas-jeffersons-wartime-record-shaped-his-li.

[3] See https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/June-1/benedict-arnold-is-court-martialed.

[4] I heard this quote from several sources, but was unable to drill down to exactly where Judas said this.

[5] Here is one of many places you can hear it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo4ijOIs6as.

[6] You can listen to a recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9txi01Ht2mA.