Jesus has only mere hours left before he leaves his disciples in a mess. It’s the night of his arrest, and he has just revealed the identity of the disciple who would betray him, Judas Iscariot. As we trace the logic of what Jesus says next, it seems that Jesus is feeling lots of emotional himself. He’s up and down, as you and I probably would be too if we were just hours from a betrayal, arrest, beating and awful death. He seems to bring his disciples along for the emotional ride. What he says, though, is of utmost importance.
When Judas was gone, Jesus speaks up again. Here’s what he says, as told in John 13, verses 31-32,
“When he was gone, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.’”
Jesus returns to a theme he has mentioned frequently in our study through the Gospel of John, the theme of glory. Through what is happening and through what is about to happen in Jesus’ life, he says is glorified in himself, and he is glorifying God. He describes an undoubted connection between Jesus the Son of Man and God the Father. But it is more than a connection. You and I can be connected to God as well. What Jesus suggests here is something richer and deeper. Jesus refers to their shared glory because Father and Son are total equals. Whatever is happening or going to happen, Jesus is saying that he and the father are equals, both glorified.
What is this glorification? The word itself in the original language is where we get our English word “doxology.” Maybe you know the song often included in church worship services called “The Doxology”: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise him above ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
What is the theme of the song? Praise. When we glorify God we are praising him for his greatness. Jesus, likewise, is saying that in whatever is about to happen, he will be joining with God his Father in being praised for greatness. There is no more hinting at this glorification. It is no longer something that is in the future. Jesus says it is now. It is happening at once.
Think about this from the disciples’ point of view. Do they yet understand what this all means? They just learned that one of them will betray Jesus. Yet, while betrayal sounds awful, Jesus is now talking about being glorified, which sounds very, very good. Even more confusing, while he glorification is very good, Jesus isn’t celebratory. He is talking about glory, but he isn’t talking about planning his coronation, like we just saw a few weeks ago with King Charles of England. Jesus is troubled in his spirit. His talk about glory doesn’t match his emotion, his body language, or his bizarre prediction of Judas’ betrayal. Then Jesus continues his ominous tone in verse 33,
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.”
This is not what you want to hear if you are one of the disciples. What you want to hear is that his glorification means that he is going to become king, and you, as his trusted followers, will be at his side governing in his royal palace, restoring Israel to prominence and defeating the Romans.
But no, Jesus is saying that his glorification involves him leaving, and them not joining him. This thing they’ve been involved in for the better part of three years, in other words, is coming to its end.
For the disciples, then, this is evening has been a most unusual Passover celebration. Think about the emotional ups and downs. First he brings them up with the very touching moment of washing their feet, teaching them the beautiful principle of servant leadership. Then he pulls them down, saying Judas will betray him. Next he yanks them back up with talk about glorification. Now he pulls them right back down saying he is leaving them. It’s emotional whiplash!
In verses 34-35, he brings them back up again with what is one of his most memorable and important teachings,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
The word for love here is “agape.” It’s the famous kind of love that is described in 1st Corinthians 13:4-8,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Jesus is saying that kind of active love for one another is the way his disciples will show that they are his disciples. This is so important, so vital for his disciples that Jesus declares this is a new command he is giving them. Love one another. This is what we are to be known for. We are people who actively love one another.
Engaging Scripture 
4 thoughts on “Coronation, emotional whiplash and…love? – John 13:18-38, Part 4”