Breaking the Word

Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. I am not speaking of all of you. I know those whom I have chosen. But so that the scripture might be fulfilled, 'The one who ate my food has raised his heel against me.' From now on I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."  (Jn 13:16-20)

This passage is just after Jesus had washed the feet of the disciples. We too do the same foot washing as a ceremony. We play the role of a leader. Foot washing has become a sign of leadership. But when Jesus did it, it was the work of a slave. We are acting it out. We do it because Jesus has done it.

A truly Christ-like leader is the one who does the menial, annoying, messy things with ease and spontaneity. The works which a servant or a slave would do, will be don by a Christ-like leader. In stead we are like little princes in the kingdom of Jesus creating little spheres of influence, of power, and we enjoy exercising it.

What we ought to do is to look away from us and look into the world which we are supposed to be serving. We should be where the world needs us; ready even to take up insignificant roles. 

Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me." (Jn 12:44-50)

Jesus says:

•          Whoever  believes in me
•            Whoever sees me

Those who see Jesus and believe in him see and believe in the Father. This is a public and open statement that Jesus is making before he goes into taking to his disciples and then he does not address the public. To the general public he says that he and the father are one. He, as a light, has come to remove darkness.

He says again:

•          Anyone hears my words and does not observe
•           Whoever rejects

Those who do not observe the words of Jesus and reject him are condemned and judged. Jesus does not condemn them but the words that he has spoken condemn them. These words are from the Father and they are eternal.

In this passage Jesus speaks about two of his activities: 1) he has come to reveal the father and 2) he has come to save the world. Those who believe and see, and hear and accept him as God sent are saved. Those who do not, will be condemned not by him but by his words. This is the final challenge that Jesus places before the public.