Here in John 13 we see Jesus getting his disciples ready for gospel work. He’ll soon depart from them.
It will fall to them to establish the church, and spread the gospel – the good news that Jesus is alive and saves people today. So if we’re to be a church that also spreads the gospel, we also want to be ready for gospel work in the same way.
And there are four things to get hold of from John 13.
These notes accompany a sermon on YouTube delivered at Bromborough Evangelical Church in February 2026. You can find more in the series in our sermon index.
The gospel is God’s own work (18-20)
All this is immediately following the footwashing that we looked at last week. You remember how Jesus washing his disciples feet was two things: First, it was a symbol of the Son of God’s self-abasement, leaving heaven’s glory for the cross. Second, it was an example for Jesus’ followers – you and me – never to think of yourself so highly that you won’t stoop to serve others.
Verse 2 made it clear that Judas was among the Twelve when Jesus washed their feet. But there’s a problem. Someone doesn’t belong. Read John 13:18.
We’re in what they call the “upper room discourse” – the conversation between Jesus and his disciples over the Passover meal on the night before his crucifixion. The important thing to grasp is this: Jesus is commissioning them, setting them up for gospel work in his absence. That’s what these chapters are about.
And the church can’t be established on Twelve men if one of them isn’t even a believer. It’s time for Judas to leave. That’s not to say Jesus doesn’t care about Judas. The quote is from Psalm 41, which describes not only pain from outsiders but the extra pain of betrayal by a close friend: That’s how Jesus saw Judas. It pained him. The Twelve couldn’t imagine a betrayal, but Jesus knew.
So read John 13:19.
The end of that sentence is literally “so that you will believe that I am”. It’s a natural meaning of “I am he” but it’s also theologically loaded in John’s gospel. It picks up Isaiah 41:4 I am the LORD, the first and with the last—I am he [literally, I am]. Jesus is saying that when he’s betrayed and handed over to be crucified, they’ll realise that he is divine, and that everything was predicted in the Old Testament.
That’s why he says what he does next: Read John 13:20.
To be ready for gospel work, you need to realise this: The gospel is God’s own work, worked through his people. It is grounded in the heart and will of the Father. Worked through Jesus and applied by the Spirit. And, in Jesus’ physical absence from the earth, he works through his Spirit-enabled church. You.
So there’s no place for Judas or any unbeliever in the post-resurrection commission to establish the church.
Grace was extended to Judas, but wasn’t to be channelled through him in gospel work.
But if you’re a Christian, this realisation that the gospel is God’s work through his people is encouraging – and enabling. It also highlights the privilege of being used by him! If you are heard, then Jesus is heard. And when Jesus is heard, the Father himself is heard.
As a tiny side-point, this is why only Christians can be church members – and why we encourage all Christians to become church members. Christ works through his people to save.
Stay with Jesus for life (21-30)
Now at this point, Judas is still present. Read John 13:21-22.
Even though Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, and even though he knew it must happen, it still troubled Jesus’ heart. Jesus is all love and compassion. Never forget that.
So we have this mealtime. Forget Da Vinci’s Last Supper. It was nothing like that. There would food laid out across a low space in the middle of the room. You’d lie on the floor, leaning on your left arm, taking food from the middle with your right hand. The person to your right had their back to you; you had your back to the person on your left. Feet outwards.
Jesus has just dropped a bombshell into the room’s chatter. Read John 13:23-24.
Picture 13 men in that room. Peter’s obviously further away. John was to Jesus’ right. Who was on Jesus’ left, the place of highest honour? Quite possibly Judas.
Read John 13:25. John had his back to Jesus, so has to lean back – really physically close – and asks, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus replies, and it’s quite possible that he only answered quietly to John because when Judas does leave the others don’t know why. Read John 13:26. Peter was across the room, but Judas was nearby. Maybe even on Jesus’ left. But what happens next is for all to hear: Read John 13:27.
Did Jesus cause Judas to fall? No, read John 13:2. But it’s a simple truth that not everyone is saved. You need to ask yourself truly: What about you?
In the room there was just confusion: Read John 13:28-29. People might think you’re something you’re not. But Jesus knows you. There’s no hiding from him.
The message here is don’t do what Judas did. Rather, stay with Jesus for life. Read John 13:30.
John’s gospel has much to say about light and darkness. Jesus himself is the “light of the world”. But John 3:19-21 says, “This is the judgment: The light [Jesus] has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light…
Light and life – eternal, fullness of life – is only found in Jesus.
Judas gave him up for 30 pieces of silver. What do you give Jesus up for? You’d rather live a life of sin, of self, of money? If that is you, and you step out of this building without coming to faith and life in Jesus, you’re as doomed as Judas. You’re in the dark.
Look at Jesus here in these verses: He doesn’t enjoy Judas’ hard-heartedness. Jesus is slow and patient, giving every opportunity for Judas to backtrack.
What should Judas have done? Turned to Jesus. Confessed his sin. Stayed with Jesus for life, not stepped out into the night.
And you must come too. Turn to Jesus; stay with him for life.
Love one another for the gospel (31-35)
So we reach v31. Read John 13:31. The wheels are very much in motion towards the cross. And, in the economy of the cross, that means glory.
How is the Son of Man and God glorified in the cross? In the display of his holiness and justice, demanding atonement for sin. And in the display of his love and grace, becoming atonement for your sin. You dare not ignore it.
Jesus knows that this glory isn’t some vague thing in the future: Read John 13:32. His glory is the cross.
So he tells them again that he’s leaving: Read John 13:33. It’s not that they can never follow him, because in John 14:3 he tells them that he’s preparing a place for them. It’s more that only Jesus can go the way of the cross for others. He alone is God in flesh; he’s the perfect Lamb of God. Only Jesus can die for others, atoning for others’ sins. It’s unrepeatable, and eternally effective.
The disciples (and us) will follow later (v36), but we can only follow. It’s not a path we can go first in.
So, as Jesus leaves them, he gives his great commission command: Read John 13:34-35.
How is that a ‘new’ command? There are ancient commands to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength” and “Love your neighbour as yourself.” So what’s new?
Jesus is establishing his New Covenant, with the blood of the covenant being shared. That means new laws, and a new mission to the whole world to share the good news of salvation. The Old Covenant with ethnic Israel is over. From now on, the emphasis is on taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
And a huge part of that will be the public displays of love between believers so that others will see Jesus in us: Don Carson says this:
“The new command is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice: Love one another.”
Now it may be that you’ve had a bad experience of unloving Christians. Don’t judge Jesus by those who claim to follow him. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing. If there’s not love, then it’s not like Christ.
But then, take a look at the community in this room. Where else would you see so many different kinds of people gather like this? A family, maybe? This is the work of God. You can turn to him, and enter into this family forever. Now.
And the command to love one another isn’t fuzzy sentimentality. Love is an act. Love is intentional. And it’s not only to the lovely. It’s that footwashing example again.
You might feel you can’t witness for Jesus the way others can. “I never know what to say.” “I’m afraid of hard questions.” “I don’t know anyone to witness to.”
Even if that is you, you can obey this missional, gospel-hearted command: Love one another.
And make sure you do that for others to see, not just in a vacuum. Deliberately live out a gospel culture.
Love one another for the gospel.
Which means (obviously) that you actually need to be with other Christians for effective witness! Even social events matter. But once again, Peter derails the teaching with a question:
Depend on Christ (36-38)
Jesus has just given a huge command. So read John 13:36.
Notice how Peter has put the command to one side to ask about Jesus’ going away. How often do churches spend hours locked away in Bible studies (maybe talking about Jesus’ return more than his departure), but spend so little time in visible living in love on mission?
We have things like Tots, Connections, Saturday Sparks, Knit2Tog – plus Sunday services – all to visibly display Christ’s love to an unbelieving world.
You should also see your friendships in the church and Life Groups as opportunities to include unbelieving friends in the community of the church. Do it with gospel intent. Pray about it.
So Peter has gone off at a tangent. But again Jesus is patient with Peter. He’s so kind and compassionate, he sees the pain behind Peter’s question. So Jesus will spend all of chapter 14 addressing their fears about his departure – and we’re thankful he did! But then he will return to his core command in John 14:12 – with lots more detail.
Meanwhile, Peter is being his usual self: Read John 13:37-38.
There’s deep irony in Peter’s words. It’s Jesus who will be laying his life down for Peter, just hours away.
Peter’s words were well meant. You might well do similar things. It’s easy to pray and make promises to the Lord in here. In the quiet moments after a service closes, it’s good to pray to the Lord in the light of all you’ve heard. But then you must go back to your life beyond these walls. You’ll be in work, at home, among unbelievers.
Peter’s core mistake was to have confidence in himself, making promises in that safe place he would fail to keep in the harsh world outside. In spiritual matters, never trust in your own strength, maturity, knowledge, or wisdom.
Beware self-confidence (especially if you’ve been a Christian for a while). Beware rash promises to God. You’re not as strong as you think you are. Never.
The gospel is God’s work, not yours. So go in the strength he gives, aware that he will work through you. Be encouraged and enabled by that.
And then stay with Jesus for life. Walk in his light, live the life he has planned for you.
Love one another for the gospel. Be intentional about all you wish to do for Jesus. Love this church, and be seen to love it so that others will see God at work. Speak warmly about today’s service tomorrow, when you’re back in work.
And whatever you do, depend on Christ. Don’t trust in yourself.
As you and all of us do these things, we’ll be ready for gospel work – ready for the Lord to do amazing things through us.