In John 13, Jesus knew he was going to be betrayed and arrested. The hours until his painful deathticked away. If anybody had an excuse to be distracted, distant, or unengaged, it was Jesus.
Yet, Jesus proceeds to preach one of the most beautiful and profound messages in all of the Gospels.
In John 14-17, Jesus reveals himself as the way, the truth, the life, and the vine. In the process, he gives us some of the richest, most textured “I am” statements regarding his divinity. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as a source of comfort and encouragement for the disciples. Jesus alludes to the mystery of his own resurrection and of the life to come. And he gives us theology of missions as we answer the call to abide in Christ, live in unity, and reach the world. The opposite of unengaged, Jesus is fully present in these last moments before his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion.
John 13:1 says, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (emphasis added)
Jesus was fully-present until his last breath.
What stops you from being fully present?
*Photo courtesy of here
