John: Book of Glory

JOHN 13-20

Chapters 13-20 of the Gospel of John provide us the second major section of the Gospel. These chapters take us through the final days of Jesus on the earth while He is in His mortal body. In chapter 13 we begin by viewing the cleansing of the new community by the washing of the feet of the disciples by Jesus and by the departure of Judas Iscariot as the betrayer. The farewell discourse (to the twelve minus Judas) gives the final instructions to these eleven (chapters 13-16). Chapter 17 will allow us to hear and study the final prayer in which the Son who was sent reports to the Father that the mission has been done (which will be completed with the death on the cross in chapter 19).

Chapter 20 tells us of the post resurrection meeting Jesus has with Mary Magdalene and the appearance of Jesus to the remaining eleven disciples, first without Thomas and then with him present.

In light of the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, the OT community, those who are now “His own” are the eleven. They are to be given a most profound sign of the love Jesus holds for them as well as a lesson in humility as Jesus washes their feet.

His performance of public signs, proving He is the Messiah, no longer dominates the Gospel. The focus now shifts to His preparation of the community that will begin the church after Pentecost. This will be a Spirit guided mission to a lost and unbelieving world.

Now the disciples are drawn into the unity, love, and mission of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit which will become a reality in 20:21-23 and has come to be known as “John's Great Commission”:

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you; as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained”.