Jesus' Farewell

Bill Lewellis

In the Gospel according to John, just before John’s account of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, there are five chapters — 13 through 17 — that make up an especially powerful read. Read the entire section reflectively, perhaps today or tomorrow, and you will understand. John put that section together to be Jesus’ Farewell.

Chapter 13 begins with the Holy Thursday account of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."

The beginning of chapter 14 includes, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Chapter 15 begins: ”I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower … Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit … Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches.

In chapter 16: "A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me."

In chapter 17: "This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

Those chapters are filled with “knock-your-socks-off" Christianity… that might make one say, “Either this is not the gospel, or we are not Christians.” For example: (1) “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (2) Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (3) Those who love me will keep my word, and my Fath