What we saw this past week in chapters 15, 16 and 17 of the John's Gospel is the language of Jesus as He describes the relationship that we are caught up into as disciples and followers of Christ. Jesus has brought us into the inner circle of the relationship He has with the Father and the Spirit. We are no longer servants but friends. He has shared with us the intimate thoughts and desires of the triune persons. As Jesus describes this relationship we realize that we are caught up into the most loving transforming relationship of all.
Think of living in a family that has nothing but acceptance, affirmation, embrace and love for each other. Living in the security of such a relationship transforms the way that we see the world around us. Both the confidence and the courage exist to embrace others in the same way and such an outlook literally changes the environment we live in. People will desire to join such a community where they can find the same acceptance and embrace. Thus the challenge for us to stay in such a relationship [remain] so that the community grows as Father so desires.
We now have the same secure confidence to communicate with the Father as Jesus did and does. We have the Spirit who comes and leads us into the truth of the coming kingdom and the desire of the Father and the Son for the creation and its redemption. We can pray with the requests that come from the heart of the Father for the creation. We have found our true humanity and its linked to our relationship with Jesus. We are only truly human when we are in the embrace of the Father and the Son.
As He prepares to leave, He will leave behind the Spirit and the disciples [church] to continue what He started. Although the world does not know the Father, its enough for Jesus that the Spirit and the disciples do. As they carry on the activity of living out their relationship with the Father and Son the world will continue to hear about the Father.
I can't think of anything more wonderful, deep, profound and life changing than this relationship that Jesus offers. It's the relationship that gives us eternal life. It's eternal life that can only be obtained through engaging in such a relationship: so the words of Jesus to His disciples. These are important parting words prior to the next 48 hours that will introduce confusion, turmoil and grief in the heart of the disciples but then surprise, joy and rejoicing when He will appear to them post resurrection and confirm many of the things He had shared with them prior to His passion.
Audio for this past week:
Portico John Lecture - Chapter 15 Part II - Drawn into the Circle
Portico John Lecture Chapter 16 - Drawn into the Circle
Portico John Lecture Chapter 16 Part II Drawn into the Circle
Portico John Lecture Chapter 17 - Jesus Prayer to the Father
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