Unlike the other gospels, John includes a long discourse by Jesus at the Last Supper and a prayer. John does not lift up the final meal, but includes the washing of the disciples feet. The group was taken by the imagery of Jesus' washing feet, which would have been the job a servant. The group felt that this act may have had a greater impact on the disciples, at that time, than the bread and wine. Having Jesus washing their feet must have moved them deeply.
The group found the discourses of Jesus not easy to interpret. The feeling was that these were the words of John given to Jesus. John wanted to speak to issues facing the church in his time. The church was no longer welcome in the synagogues. The church was alone in the world and often rejected. The cult of John the Baptist was still around and thriving. And the gnostics were planting the seeds that Jesus was not human and could not have been truly incarnate. Against these three, John wanted to speak. Through Jesus, the disciples were told that they were not alone, that Jesus was sending the Holy Spirit. Jesus reminded the disciples that John the Baptist was subservient to Jesus (a theme repeated earlier in the gospel). Jesus tells the disciples the God is in him and He is in them. There is an organic union between God and them, between spirit and flesh. The incarnation is real and they would be carrying out the work of God in the world.
The group found that the prayer of Jesus centered on two themes, unity and love. For the gospel of John, the hallmark of the community of Christ, the church, was captured in those two themes. The world would recognize the church by the church being united and by the church being a community of love. John's hope and vision of the church did shape that early community. They were know as the "people of the way". The world did notice that they embodied a different spirit that was reflected in caring for others, inclusion, and service. That hope and vision of John still shapes the church today.
We will now be moving into the final moments of Jesus' life. You are invited to join us on Wednesday at noon at the CEB. We are continuing with chapter 18. Join us in exploring this great story of Jesus as told by John.
Pastor Summer
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