John 13: 1-20

Reading for 28-Mar-12      John 13:1-20

John’s Gospel is reaching its climax and John sets the stage beautifully in the very first verse. We learn the Passover had come. This is the third Passover in John’s Gospel and he has been continually pointing to the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission as the sacrificial offering of Passover. In the opening verse John states, “Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father.”

This would be a good time to meditate on just what leaving this world entailed for Jesus. Betrayal by one of his twelve disciples; denial by the leader of his disciples; excruciating pain; and public humiliation are just some of the markers along the final path on his journey.

John shows us the Word has become flesh as Jesus “took the humble position of a slave” and washed the feet of the disciples. That act of humility alone is sufficient to inspire the great hymn of the early church recorded by St. Paul in Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus wrapped his humility in love: “He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.” The Gospel of John uses the word agape, love, more than the other three Gospel’s combined.

This is another good time for meditation. When you think of your identity as a Christian, or perhaps a leader in your church, is your minded flooded with memories of Jesus loving his disciples to the end, to the uttermost? Do you remember the Messiah washing the feet of his disciples?

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name above all other names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for 29-Mar-12      John 13:21-38