Jesus' Divinity and Love

A reflection on the Gospel According to St John, Chapter 14

Over the past few weeks, our readings from John’s Gospel in church have been focusing on who Jesus is and his relationship to The Father.  We have also been learning about discipleship.

The readings from the past couple of weeks and this week are part of Jesus’ 'Final Discourse', as it is often called, to his disciples during the last supper.

We have heard Jesus describe himself as ‘The Good Shepherd’ with Alex explaining recently in his sermon that this is a metaphor that the disciples and later, early Christians, would understand, coming from a pastoral background with sheep, sheep pens and shepherds a common sight.

Last week, the penny finally dropped with the Disciples, who though they may seem to have grasped it at times, clearly didn’t, but who finally realized just who Jesus is when he says, "I am the way, the truth and the life", and he goes on to explain that he and the Father are One.

We now move on.  Just as the disciples finally understand who Jesus is, Jesus himself knows that his time is limited and he will soon be taken away.  He knows that the disciples will be left bereft and has been trying to  prepare them for this, starting Chapter 14, with those familiar words that have brought comfort to many over the ensuing millennia:

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)

However, he also knows that until that time, the disciples will be like lost sheep, so in today’s reading, he tells them that he will send ‘someone’ to be with them, to help them, and to be with them.

In the translation of the Bible I was using last night, they are referred to as, ‘another Counsellor…the spirit of truth’.  Other translations use the word ‘Comforter’.  But the meaning is clear – they will not be left alone.  Jesus continues, ‘I will not leave you orphans.  I will come to you.’  Adding, ‘before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me.’  Thus, presaging his death and resurrection and doubling down on his identity, but also, marvellously inviting the Disciples, and by extension, you and me, to be ‘at one’ with Him and the Father.

How can this be?  Well Jesus goes on to explain that those who obey his commands, show their love for Him and that they in turn will be loved by the Father, and Him, thus we too become part of that divine love shared by Jesus and the Father by following his example.

I have to say, that this passage is completely mind blowing and that some theologians have spent their whole academic career trying to make sense of it.  I would just urge you to read the whole of this chapter and notice how Jesus is gently leading his Disciples forward, whilst warning them of his impending death, yet, at the same time, giving them assurances that they will not be left alone, but will be, I suppose, engrafted into God’s family by the sheer force of love shared between, The Father, His Son, Jesus, and those who truly believe and love Jesus.

Sadly, we cannot go into Jesus’  Final Discourse to the disciples as it takes up Chapters 13 to 17, and I think that it’s the longest, continuous exposition of Jesus’ teachings that we have, therefore, I would urge you, as we finish the Easter Season and prepare for Pentecost at the end of the month, to spend some time, re-reading and meditating  on the various themes developed by Jesus, particularly the sections on His identity, and those on the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we marvel at the love .shown to us by your sending your Son to live amongst us and for the sacrifice He made for us on the cross.

Open our hearts and minds to accept that Jesus  was both wholly human and wholly divine, and that by his love for us, and ours for Him, we are loved by You and so able to receive the gift of your unending love.

Help us, who receive your bounteous love, to show love to our family, friends, neighbours and anyone else who crosses our paths this week.

A look, a smile, a few words of encouragement.  Small in themselves, but not to others who may be longing for human interaction and a feeling of worth.

Help us to accept the love and support of others with humility and gratitude.

Remind us that we are all God’s Children and deserve to be treated with love, kindness and respect.

We ask this in Jesus name.  Amen.