Now What?

By Jared Green       For three years, Jesus’ disciples had spent nearly every waking moment by his side. They had heard his teachings and seen his miracles, and anytime they had a question, the Son of God was there to answer (even if he did so in a confusing parable). That time, however, had to end because Jesus’ purpose was not to live on this earth as a good teacher but to sacrifice himself on the cross as the world’s Savior. That time had finally come, and Jesus told his disciples, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come’” (John 13:33). Based on the disciples’ questions in the following verses, they were struggling to come to grips with Jesus’ departure. Knowing their hearts, Jesus focused his last meal with them on comforting and preparing his disciples for their new reality.     Jesus called them to serve one another in love. In John 13, Jesus famously washed his disciples’ feet. Due to dusty road condition and the lack of modern footwear, washing feet was a gross, menial task. Generally, a host would have a servant whose job it was to wash the guests’ feet. However, to prepare his disciples for the days ahead, Jesus washed their feet in order to teach them the importance of loving one another through action. Later in the chapter, Jesus told them, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34).     Jesus comforted them with his promises. Jesus told them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (14:1). Jesus calmed them by calling them to belief. For Jesus, belief is an unwavering trust in God’s promises. Those specific promises were to prepare a heavenly dwelling place and one day return to take his disciples to that eternal abode (14:2-3).     Jesus called them to bear fruit. In John 15, Jesus called himself the “true vine” and each disciple a “branch” on the vine (vv. 1-2). Jesus told them, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (v. 8). The fruit that Jesus likely had in mind was the outpouring of love and love’s accompanying actions, given that both fruit (15:8) and love (13:34) would prove one’s discipleship. Knowing the difficult path his disciples would face, Jesus reminded them that fruit-bearing would only be accomplished by abiding in him because, “apart from me you can do nothing” (15:5).     Like the disciples, we need both encouragement and comfort as we live in a world that is ultimately not our home. May we heed Jesus’ teachings to serve one another in love, trust in God’s promises, and bear fruit by abiding in Christ. God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com