Starting from this chapter John moves to a new stage and subject of his gospel. Prior to this, Jesus was calling the people in general; sadly, the text, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness comprehends it not" was confirmed in them. So was Jesus failing? No! Since people as a whole do not accept him, but the Lord chose some who are ready and repent and gathered them in the circle of disciples. In these chapters we shall read how Jesus addressed the elect, as the bridegroom talking to his bride. He is theirs as they are his. God’s love becomes the motto of these discourses. This love is not mere selfish feelings, it implies a call to service. In the Bible love involves humble self-giving to those who are undeserving. In these discourses Jesus reveals the finest of his attributes to his disciples, explaining his love in the imagery of a servant, symbolising his life, death and rising again.
Jesus taught that he would die before the next Passover. He was going to his Father. Is this direction yours also? He was in the world, but his eyes ever gazed at his Father. From him came power, guidance and joy, to endure such vile men. In union with god he also saw that Satan whispered in the heart of one disciple evil thoughts. This man gradually exposed himself to greed, pride and hate. However, Jesus did not hate the traitor, but loved him with divine love to the end.
Jesus was not simply yielding to the traitor as if the event was fatalistic. Not Judas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate or the Jewish leaders and their masses would decide what was to come, but because of his humiliation and submission the Father committed all spirits and humans to him. He resolved to die as God’s Lamb, and appointed the timetable of events. Throughout the storms of events he did not lose sight of his source and aim. Jesus is Lord who turns the course of history.
Christ did not wish to return to his Father above, but drew his disciples into the fellowship of God’s good pleasure. He taught them with a sign standing for humility, representing before them divine love in practical terms. He thus became a servant; he fetched water and knelt before his disciples to wash their feet and dry them. He made himself the least of all, so that the simplest among them might learn that God serves humanity. The Lord does not dominate coldly and indifferently, but kneels to cleanse them and transform them into the image of his gentleness.
Jesus is our sublime exemplar. When will we bow before him and worship him? When shall we change our minds and bend our backs that are upright and unbending?
Brother so long as you are not broken, not serving your brothers or loving your foes or binding the wounds of the injured, you are not a true Christian. Are you a servant or a master? Remember Jesus is the servant of all humanity, he bends down to serve you. Will you accept that service or count yourself vainglorious, that you are good and not in need of God’s service?