Thursday 28 March 2024
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. (v. 4)
Background
This is John’s version of Jesus' last supper with his disciples before he is crucified. John chooses to downplay the meal itself and tells his readers about Jesus ministering to his disciples instead. This is a part of the picture that the gospel writer wishes to portray. He has a strong belief in the authority of Jesus. From his depiction of the miracle of the water transformed into wine (John 2:1-10) to Jesus' end on the cross when he says, “It is finished” (John 19:30) John shows Jesus in command and heading for the glory of returning to God. In John's Gospel, Jesus does not break bread and he is not broken on the cross, nor does he cry out to God for support. This episode shows Jesus preparing his followers for the guidance he is recorded as giving throughout the meal (John 13:13-17).
There are both supernatural and earthly elements to this description of events. We are told clearly that Jesus was the son of God; he came from God to earth as an exemplar to believers; and was to return to God. As with the very first words of John's Gospel, the divinity of Jesus is at the centre of what John wants to tell us. Jesus uses himself as a visual aid to help us understand that God loves those who believe, but that they are obliged to look after and care for one another and those around them. In the following four chapters (John 14-17) Jesus tells his disciples to keep his commandments; to love one another just as God the Father loves him and Jesus loves them; and to welcome the Holy Spirit to help them in their lives so that they glorify God.
In verse 6 the disciple Peter voices shock at Jesus’ willingness to put himself in what society would have considered to be a demeaning position (washing the disciples' feet), and the contemporary audience to this gospel might have been similarly surprised. We cannot know exactly to whom this book was directed, but it was written decades after Jesus’ crucifixion to Christians who were searching for identity and who faced fear of persecution (Acts 8:1, 16:19-24, John 9:22). This authoritative Jesus inspired confidence and hope in an ever-faithful, Almighty God, while simultaneously encouraging his followers to be humble and loving.
To Ponder:
- When you read of distressing news from around the world, does your belief in the power of God give you hope and help you remain positive?
- Pride can stop us acting in the way we know God would desire. Does this passage help you to reflect on issues of status and worth and how they influence behaviour?
- How do you express God’s love in words and actions, even to those you do not know personally?
Prayer
Generous and loving God, send your Spirit to help me to bend my will to yours, take away my pride and need for self-preservation, and guide me in ways that glorify you. Amen.
Bible notes author: Deacon Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson is a minister on the Alton Estate, Roehampton, in the Richmond and Hounslow Circuit. She lives with her husband and cat. To relax, she loves eating out, meeting up with her girls, dancing, and birdwatching at the Wetlands Centre.