The conversation had been intense, and Jesus knew the disciples had taken in just about all they could handle. They’d questioned him along the way, trying to grasp what he meant, and he patiently answered and withstood their ignorance. He knew…it would take the Holy Spirit to really make it sink in.
So, as we conclude the fourteenth chapter of John’s Gospel today, Jesus leaves us with these words before he rises to leave:
“You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.“
John 14:28-31 (NIV)
Once again, he mentions that he is going away. He already told them not to let their hearts be troubled over all this, but he knew they struggled. If they really loved him, they’d be happy for him, because he was going back to the Father. Everything he was saying to them was to confirm their belief when it all came to past.
However, that was to come. For now, the darkness was moving in, as Satan was sure to have his way in seeing Jesus put to death. It’s funny that Jesus even tells it to his disciples so clearly, though not even Satan understood — he had no hold over him. Why?
Because Jesus gave himself over to death willingly out of love and obedience to the Father.
Perhaps he was reflecting on Isaiah’s prophecy of how it all would happen:
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth…He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 53:7, 9-10 (NIV)
What did he say next? Why did he do all this?
Because the world must learn that he loved the Father and did exactly what he commanded.
All that he had done; all that he would do was in perfect submission to the plan of God for our salvation.
For God SO LOVED the world.
It’s all about the world. That includes you and me, for which I’m grateful. I hope you are too.
Come now, let’s leave this chapter and go forth, no longer in darkness but in the light of Christ, sharing the Good News that the world around us must learn…before it’s too late.
Grace and Peace
All The Colors In The World by Podington Bear is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.