My studies for the past while have been in John's Gospel. It has been really good to say the least. I've gone through such passages as the woman caught in adultery, the changing of water into wine, and Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem to name a few. In John 13, there is the very popular account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. This is the beginning of Jesus’ last intimate teaching session and supper with his earthly pupils which includes the teaching on the vine and the branches and Jesus being the way, the truth, and the light. I'm finding it fascinating, and I still have four or five chapters to go; I've been waiting for this!
The verse, however, that caught my attention was unforeseen. Just prior to 13:19, Jesus explained why he washed their feet: to set an example. Verse 18 shifts suddenly to him prophesying his betrayal by Judas. This is where verse 19 comes into play (here are two translations):
"From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He." (NASB)
"I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM the Messiah" (NLT).
At first glance, I thought that it was "cool" that Jesus is able to predict his own outcome: someone close to him is going to betray him, and he knows about it. Consider how Judas probably feels at this time! Such a feat would be incredibly satisfying for those of us who may enjoy putting people in their places (God's still working with me on that one!). However, on second glance something much more profound can be found, and it's something that does not taint my own "power problems." I gave you two translations to point out something. The literal translation does not have the "He" pronoun as the last word in the sentence. Sure--the "He" is understood and sounds better in English than saying "you may believe I am." However, the New Living Translation (normally considered a "looser" translation as opposed to
a "literal" translation) brings out the deep theological implications of what Jesus is saying: "that I AM (the Messiah)." Anyone of his Jewish disciples would have been sure to pick up on the connection to the Old Testament that Jesus makes. If you remember (or if you'd like to look it up), Moses asks God--Yahweh--whom he is to say sent him when Moses appears before Pharaoh to say (drum roll, please), "Let my people go!" God's answer is this in Exodus 3:14--God said to Moses, "I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " (NIV) For Jesus to say in John 13:19 that "you may believe I am" and to finish his sentence at this point connects him to the Great I Am--he is one and the same. Cool connection, right? But it goes further than that. Think of it this way: the I AM who brought on the ten terrible plagues, parted the Jordan River and the Red Sea, who led His people by a cloud in the daytime and a pillar of fire by night, who destroyed the walls of Jericho, and caused the sun to stand still while Joshua and his army fought is the same I AM who took on the form of humanity and washed the dirt and stink off of 12 Jewish boys' feet. This same one would later go on to die at the hands of those he
created. Of course, we know that he also was raised from the dead by the Father, but please think of this: the one who did all of those things just mentioned washed dirty feet.
This amazes and shames me at the same time when I consider how pompous I can be: wanting to be noticed, wanting to feel important, wanting to know I am accepted by others. Sometimes my desire to be used by God can even be pompous. This last one is most clearly seen when I feel that God has decided not to use certain talents of mine, or if he simply says, "Wait--I'll use them when I want." After all, did he not give them to me in the first place?
I'm not sure if this strikes you with the same conviction that it has struck me. Take it or leave it; you may not be dealing with the same things that I am. If you do want to look at another passage, be sure to check out Philippians 2:5-11.
I'll leave with a hymn that has been on my mind since this morning.
Mike
Man of Sorrows! what a name
For the Son of God, Who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood;
Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
"Full atonement!" can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
"It is finished!" was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior! |