The Noontimes

John 13: The Book of Glory

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

From the footnotes in the CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE (170): The Book of Glory. There is a break here; the word “sign” is used again only in 20,30. In this phase of Jesus’ return to the Father, the discourses (chs 13-17) precede the traditional narrative of the passion (chs 18-20) to interpret them for the Christian reader.  This is the only extended example of esoteric teaching of disciples in John. 

From the HARPERCOLLINS BIBLE COMMENTARY (976): With chap. 13, the second major part of the Gospel begins as Jesus is at first alone with his disciples (chaps. 13-17).  When he again emerges into public view he is arrested, tried, and crucified (chaps. 18-19).  But at the end, the risen Jesus is once again alone with his disciples (chaps. 20-21).  Through most of this final half of the Gospel of John he directs his attention to them. 

We may wonder why the Risen Christ does not return as some of disciples had urged him to do: in power and glory, with sword and fire, or with justice and peace for all. And if we pause long enough, we will understand that he has indeed done so. When we read the above notes carefully we understand that it not because Jesus does not want to draw attention to himself that he returns quietly to surprise and perhaps stun his grieving followers.  It is not because Jesus does not have the power to return as he likes. Rather, it is precisely because Christ is all-powerful and all-knowing that he prepares his followers for his exodus by washing their feet in a purifying act of humble service. Christ, God the Father, and the Comforter Spirit understand – and want us to see and understand – that to be Christian is to serve and to witness. So for this reason Jesus brackets his dreadful and terrifying death with the quiet interludes cited above.

God so loves us that he invites us to choose mercy and justice so that we might be one with God.

Jesus so loves us that he is willing to suffer dreadfully and fully so that we might be one with God.

The Holy Spirit so loves us that she is willing to dwell within our tired and fussing little souls so that we might be one with God.

There is no greater sign of love than to minister to one who is weary. As we move through this story today, let us consider this: it is likely that when we feel most alone or most abandoned that Christ is with us most intensely. When we seek God we ought not seek him in the headiness of power for God is not there. We ought not seek God in the hubbub of parties and festivals for God is not there. Like Elijah (1 Kings 19:12-14) who lived through an earthquake and then a fire, we hear God in a gentle whisper within.  Like Elijah we will hear the voice ask: “What are you doing there?”

And like Elijah, we will want to answer: “I have been building your kingdom as you have asked. I have been zealous for the Lord”. And like the apostles who fully understood the magnitude of Christ’s love for them only after he left in disgrace to return in glory, we too, will see and understand . . . and we too, will be zealous for the Lord.

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