Christ Loved His Disciples to The End: [p]

[iris89]

Christ Loved His Disciples to The End:

INTRODUCTION:

Jesus (Yeshua) had prepared his disciples well for his departure. He even spent his last precious moments teaching them very important lessons to give them strength to remain faithful. Jesus (Yeshua) words shared with his disciples/apostles were warm and most intimate, and he was most forgiving of their human imperfections. In fact, decades later the Apostle John wrote of the events of the last Passover meal he celebrated with them just before his execution at John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the passover, Jesus knowing that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto his Father, having loved his own that were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (American Standard Version; ASV). But Jesus (Yeshua) did not wait until that night to demonstrate love for his own disciples, he did so continually throughout his ministry.

In showing love to his disciples, he had to show great patience and long-suffering per 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; 6 rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; 7 beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (ASV). In fact, Jesus (Yeshua) needed a lot of patience when dealing with his disciples. Why? For one thing they often got into foolish arguments such as who was the greatest among them, this even happening on his last evening with them per the accounts at Luke 22:24-30, “And there arose also a contention among them, which of them was accounted to be greatest. 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles have lordship over them; and they that have authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is the greater among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. 27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. 28 But ye are they that have continued with me in my temptations; 29 and I appoint unto you a kingdom, even as my Father appointed unto me, 30 that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (ASV); and Matthew 20:20-28, “Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able. 23 He saith unto them, My cup indeed ye shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation concerning the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; 27 and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: 28 even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (ASV); and Mark 9:33-37, “And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me” (ASV). So we can see he had to exercise great patience with them; yet, they recorded this fact in their eye witness accounts with great candor clearly showing they were writing under inspiration and not for self ego.

CARING FOR THEIR NEEDS:

Jesus (Yeshua) cared for the spiritual needs and physical needs of his apostles. Why? Because love is evidenced by unselfish deeds as shown by 1 John 3:17-18, “But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? 18 My Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.” (ASV); and that we should not only look out for our own interest per 1 Corinthians 13:5, “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil;” (ASV). Jesus (Yeshua) was moved by love to care for them, and when they were tired, he suggested they go to a lonely place to rest a little per Mark 6:31, “And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” (ASV). He likewise fed them and many others who were hungry, by a miracle, as recorded at Matthew 14:19-21, “And he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 20 And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And they that did eat were about five thousand men, besides women and children.” (ASV); and Matthew 15:35-37, “And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground;
36 and he took the seven loaves and the fishes; and he gave thanks and brake, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37 And they all ate, and were filled: and they took up that which remained over of the broken pieces, seven baskets full.” (ASV).

In fact the Sermon on the Mount was especially delivered for the benefit of his disciples as shown at Matthew 5:1-2 and 13-16, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,” (ASV) and “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. 16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (ASV).

In doing these things, Jesus (Yeshua) showed consideration for his Apostles by preparing them for the coming terrible things he must endure and for the trials and tribulations they would experience per Matthew 20:17-19, “And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples apart, and on the way he said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests and scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, 19 and shall deliver him unto the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify: and the third day he shall be raised up.” (ASV); and warning them he had per John 16:12, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” (ASV).

JESUS (YESHUA) SHOWED THE NEED TO WILLINGLY FORGIVE:

Jesus (Yeshua) showed the need to forgive and Colossians 3:13-14 show forgiveness is a facet of love, “forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” (ASV). He urged his followers to forgive one another and emphasized this at Matthew 18:21-22, “Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.” (ASV); and he showed the need for repentance at Luke 117:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” (ASV).

Jesus (Yeshua) emphasized the importance for forgiveness at Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (ASV). He then used an illustration to drive home this point that is found at Matthew 18:23-35, “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, who would make a reckoning with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, that owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not wherewith to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 And the lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow–servants, who owed him a hundred shillings: and he laid hold on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay what thou owest. 29 So his fellow–servant fell down and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay that which was due. 31 So when his fellow–servants saw what was done, they were exceeding sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord called him unto him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou besoughtest me: 33 shouldest not thou also have had mercy on thy fellow–servant, even as I had mercy on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due. 35 So shall also my heavenly Father do unto you, if ye forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.” (ASV).

LAST JESUS (YESHUA) DEMONSTRATED HIS TRUST IN HIS APOSTLES:

Jesus (Yeshua) demonstrated his trust in his apostles as 1 Corinthians 13:7 says with respect love, “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (ASV). He demonstrated his willingness to trust his apostles despite their human imperfections, and freely forgave when they fell short of perfection.

For example, the Apostle Peter denied him three times out of fear of a crowd as testified to at Matthew 26:69-75, “69 Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. 73 And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the thingy crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the thingy crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” (ASV), but Jesus (Yeshua) after is resurrection appeared to Peter to comfort and reassure him as recorded at Luke 24:34, “saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.[Peter]” (ASV); and 1 Corinthians 15:5, “and that he appeared to Cephas; [another name for Peter] then to the twelve;” (ASV) to show he still love and trusted him and forgave him for denying him.

Further, to reassure Peter, he let him take the lead in giving a witness to the crowds in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost per Acts 2:14-40, “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it shall be in the last days, saith God, I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: 18 Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day. 21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; 23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David saith concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance. 29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; 31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” (ASV).

And last as testified to at Luke 22:31-32, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat: 32 but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.” (ASV). Clearly showing his great capacity to forgive and not hold human weaknesses against his apostles.

Your Friend in Christ Iris89