John 13:1-19 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father… God is set before us as our example in the Scriptures; but Christ, being man, subject to our infirmities and temptations, brings before us not merely Divine but human perfection as a model for our imitation. We should imitate Christ — I. IN HIS DEVOTION TO GOD. His constant — 1. Reference to God's glory. 2. Confidence in His promise. 3. Obedience to His commands. 4. Submission to His will. 5. Fulfilment of all righteousness. II. IN HIS DISINTERESTED SERVICE TO MAN. He sought not His own. He went about doing good. Neither His own honour nor advantage was the end He pursued. Let your governing principle be what His was. III. IN HIS MANNER OF RESISTING TEMPTATION. 1. He never placed Himself in danger. He refused to tempt God. 2. He resisted the first suggestions of evil. 3. He appealed to the authority of the Scriptures, and used them as the sword of the Spirit. IV. IN HIS ENDURANCE OF INJURES. Never was such ingratitude and scorn heaped on any other head. Yet — 1. There was no resentfulness. He did good for evil, and prayed for those who shed His blood. 2. He did not threaten. In this there is a strong contrast between Him and many of the martyrs. V. IN HIS REBUKING OF SINNERS. 1. His censures were expressive of His hatred of sin. 2. It was impartial. 3. With authority. 4. Loving and tender, except where there was manifest hypocrisy. VI. IN HIS PUBLIC WORK. As a teacher He — 1. Adapted His instruction to the state of His hearers. 2. He seized every occasion, and gave His lesson a special application. 3. He spoke as a witness. VII. IN HIS SUFFERINGS. 1. He did not manifest stoical indifference. 2. He was meek and resigned. 3. He looked to the glory which should follow. (C. Hodge, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. |
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