Never Orphaned
In John 14:15-21, Jesus offers what we call “the final discourse.” These are among the last words Jesus said to his followers in the Gospel of John. I encourage you to read that scripture along with this reflection.
This final teaching of Jesus in the Gospel of John takes place during a time of transition. Not just for Jesus, who is anticipating his death, but also for what he has been teaching his followers. Jesus has been escalating the intensity of his teaching, becoming more direct, so that soon he will go away. That the ‘Son of Man’ (Jesus) will suffer. Jesus' teachings are not the only escalation; Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus as Messiah and King, washing his feet with her hair. In this scene, Palm Sunday has already happened, and he’s marched triumphantly into Jerusalem for Passover.
For this final discourse, Jesus’s followers are gathered around this Passover meal. The Passover holiday is a symbol of God’s long history and presence with God’s people. Passover is a reenactment of how God shows up even in the most hopeless of times, but also a remembrance of the faithfulness that God’s people exhibited in the first Passover.
During Jesus’s time, there were many rules and actions God’s people were to follow. Especially around Passover. These guidelines and rituals were given to God’s people through the prophets and in holy texts to guide their lives. Obeying these commandments and reenacting the gift of receiving them were central to religious practice. The atmosphere of Passover is essential to understanding what shaped Jesus’ words and how his followers received them.
Jesus and his followers were gathered around the Passover table. We’re not exactly told whose table it was, but Jesus had been staying with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus before this point. These three were beloved friends of Jesus and faithful followers. Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. It is generally accepted that Jesus and his followers would have gathered around Martha of Bethany’s table.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were good practicing Jews. For Passover, they would’ve followed the rules of how to butcher and how to cook a Passover lamb. They would’ve invited friends and family over to share this lamb, since it had to be eaten all in one night. All parts of it.
At the end of this meal, Jesus and his followers, everyone gathered, would’ve been full, having plenty to eat, and also remembering the comfort of God's promises. Remembering the long heritage that they shared in doing this ritual of following God’s commandments. Following God’s rules and remembering God’s presence and rescue of God’s people.
And it’s in the middle of all of that remembrance and ritual that Jesus says: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
The overtones of Passover cannot be separated from this scripture because Jesus opens with this verse. Jesus has been telling this group of people that soon they will not see him, that he will go where they cannot go, but that he will return to the Father. And a few of them have been really struggling to wrap their minds around this, asking questions and imploring Jesus, “What do you mean?”
We see some of this questioning in this scripture. What do you mean? How will you do this, Jesus?
And Jesus speaks into this time of uncertainty for these people he loves, trying to grasp and understand what he means, what their future will hold, and what it will look like. Maybe a future where they go on without him.
It’s an uncertain but perhaps bright future that Jesus speaks to his followers. Jesus reassures them, “The Father will send you another advocate.” I’m going away, but you are not alone. Jesus uses this specific time and place to remind his followers and friends that “God has been with you in Passover. God has been with you here today among friends. And God will be with you in the future.”
And Jesus goes on and says these beautiful, comforting words: “I will not leave you orphaned.”
You can find comfort and belonging in keeping the promises God has made to you and carrying out the promises I have personally taught you. And you will find all of the same comfort and presence, even after I’m gone, through the Holy Spirit. The Paraclete. The advocate. The one who comes alongside. You are not orphaned. You are not alone. You have a long history of love and relationships that are open and eager to welcome you into God's presence.
This last blessing offers us the same comfort and reassurance.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. God is always with you.
