Wednesday 19th November
Read John 13:18-20
“‘I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfil this passage of Scripture: “He who shared my bread has turned against me.”
19 ‘I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.’” (NIVUK)
Jesus’ words are designed to reassure the disciples in advance that the cross and suffering that will soon take place are part of a divine plan. That plan aims to reveal God Himself to His people and for the disciples themselves to continue that commission after Jesus departs. In one sense, these words match the great commission Matthew provides at the end of his gospel.
Because of this, we must take careful note of what it is that the disciples are to ‘believe’ (v19). It is possible to take Jesus’ simple statement that they are to believe ‘that I am who I am’ in an ordinary sense. Jesus is special and had prophetic knowledge and presented a nice way to live life in this world that honours God. Yet, given the regular refrain that Jesus associated with His words and deeds, the seven ‘I am’ statements of John’s gospel, there may be more involved!
“Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, ‘It is true.’
10 ‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord,
‘and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no saviour.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed –
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:8-12) (NIVUK)
A great commission indeed!
