"Final Words" John 13: 12-20; John 15: 1-11

In the Gospel of John, there is not a Last Supper, or at least a gathering like in the other three gospels where Jesus breaks the bread and drinks the wine while talking about how it is his body and his blood.   Rather, the Gospel of John has what biblical scholars refer to as the "Final Discourse" (Chapters 13-17), which comprises almost 25% of the gospel (John:The Gospel of Light and Life, Hamilton, 91).

John 13: 12-20 contains Jesus' explanation for what he has just done by washing Peter's feet.  It is interesting to reflect on John's point when at the Last Supper Jesus washes the disciples feet.  How does that act compare with the breaking of bread and sharing of wine that takes place in the other gospels?  What point in John trying to make?  Interestingly, as Jesus prepares to wash the disciples' feet, he lays down his robe, which uses the same Greek verb as when Jesus explains that he will lay down his life for the others (New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. IX, 722). In the foot washing, Jesus combines two roles -- the host who offers the hospitality of foot washing to his guests and the servant who would actually wash the feet at the direction of the host (New Interpreter's Bible, Vol. IX, 722). Sort of an interesting combination to ponder. 

Hamilton shares an interesting story about Pope Francis.  When Francis was a bishop in Buenos Aires, eh went to a local Catholic church to do  foot washing.  One of the people whose feet he would wash was twenty-seven-year-old Cristian Marcelo Reynosos.  here is how Reynosos, a garbage collector, tells the story:  "I was at my worst and I needed help.  When the Mass started, [the cardinal] knelt down and wash my feet.  It hit me hard.  It was such a beautiful experience."  The cardinal washes the feet of AIDS patients, drug addicts, and the poor as he sought to demonstrate the love of God (Hamilton, 96).

My initial point of entry for this sermon was the idea of last words.  If you knew you were going to be sharing final words with someone, what would they be?  What topics would you cover?

As we look at what Jesus said in his final words, we read the image of the vine (15: 1-11).  In our world of private lives and personal achievement and "I can believe and do what I want," and "you can believe and do what you want," the vine image suggests we are bound together a bit differently.  The vine example also is non-hierarchical (New Interpreter's Bible, 760).  This image is also in contrast to the body of Christ image that Paul uses to describe the church.  The body of Christ highlights that each person has a particular and identifiable gift.  The vine and branches suggests everyone blends together and no one stands out in any particular way (New Interpreter's Bible, 761).

Where is the power in these two stories for you?