Oakhaven Church Podcast

4.03.22 - Gospel of John XXX - "That They May All Be One"

April 05, 2022 Larry Mudd
Oakhaven Church Podcast
4.03.22 - Gospel of John XXX - "That They May All Be One"
Show Notes

In our continued study of John's Gospel, Jesus is still in His final night with His disciples, saying the things He wants them to have "ringing in their ears" in the coming days, particularly during His days in the grave, when they will think all is lost. Jesus describes the sequence to them in language they can understand. If He said, "I'm going to be crucified, and die, and be buried. I'll be in the grave 3 days but then be raised to new life. I'll stick around with you, then ascend to heaven after 40 days so I can send the Spirit/Comforter/Advocate to you," they'd have no frame of reference with which to understand Him. Instead, He uses "peekaboo language," that "you can see me now, then you won't, then you will, then…"

Jesus uses the image of the pain and joy of childbirth to illustrate what He and His disciples are about to experience. This isn't just an image of pain and relief, though, but points to the whole universe being born again through Jesus' victorious resurrection. The theme Jesus established with Nicodemus in John 3 has its greatest fulfillment in the new life Jesus brings to the world (Gr. kosmos) as He conquers death. 

Jesus refers several times to the Father's glory and to Jesus' own glory, but as we look closely at what Jesus says, He's not referring to the splendor of heavenly enthronement, but to the unimaginable, generous humility of the Father (and then of the Son), who gives Jesus all authority in heaven on earth not so that He can rule over His subjects, but so He can die for them and give them eternal life. 

Finally, Jesus will pray His high-priestly prayer as His final words of this farewell passage. This prayer is that all His followers be one, including us. This is only possible by His power, and when it does happen, it is clearly God's work. Our love for one another and our core identity as belonging to Jesus (before any nationality, party, or any other allegiance) displays to the world around us God's presence and love for all.

To investigate this most important of stories further, go here.