Happiness: Jesus and His Disciples (13:12-17)

Happiness: Jesus and His Disciples (13:12-17)

John 13:17 is the key. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." The order is important: humbleness, holiness, and then happiness. Happiness is the by-product of a life lived in the will of God. When we serve others humbly, walk in God’s paths of holiness, and do what He tells us to do, then we will enjoy happiness.

Jesus asked the disciples if they understood what He had done. He was doubtful that they did, so He explained: He had taught them a lesson of humble service, an example for them to follow. The world believes happiness comes from others ministering to us, but true joy comes when we minister to others in the name of Christ. Happiness is something the world is constantly searching for, but that's like chasing after a shadow; it's always just beyond reach.

Jesus was their Master and therefore had the authority to command their service. No! But He waited on them! He indeed offered them a real Christian ministry. For more than one occasion in the past three years He had taught them lessons in humility and service, and now He had demonstrated the lesson to them. Perhaps the disciples recalled His lesson about the child (Matt. 18:1-6) or His rebuke to James and John when they asked for thrones (Matt. 20:20-28). Now everything made sense.

The servant is not greater than his master; if the master becomes a slave, where does that leave the servant? As good as the master! Our Lord didn’t push us down by becoming a servant: He lifted us up! He paid tribute to sacrifice and service. Remember that the Romans had no use for humility and the Greeks despised manual work. Jesus combined these two when He washed the disciples' feet.

But the knowing of this truth is not enough; James 1:22-27 stresses that the blessing is in doing the Word, not in hearing it. To study this section in John's gospel can move us emotionally or enlighten us intellectually, but it cannot bless us spiritually until we do what Jesus told us to do. Obedience is the only road to lasting happiness.

Keep these lessons in their proper order: humility, holiness, and happiness. Submit to the Father, keep your life clean, and serve others. This is God’s plan for real spiritual happiness.