The Way Ye Know

In the gospel according to the apostle John, we read of the Lord Jesus' careful preparation of his disciples to take on the work of preaching the gospel after his departure. From his words we too can be guided as we endeavour to witness to this same gospel.

At the time of Passover, shortly before his death, Jesus spoke at length to the disciples of events which would come to pass in the next few days: "Now before the feast of Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end" (John 13:1).

Supper being ended, the Lord Jesus rose from the table to leave them with a practical example of his love: "He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel which he girded" (John 13:4-5). By doing this, he taught them an essential truth upon which their ministry was to be based ­ humility of mind and spirit to keep them in remembrance that this was not their work, but the doing of God's will. "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garment, and was sat down again, he said unto them, `Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me master and Lord, and ye say well for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily,

I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them'" (John 13:12-17).

Throughout his life, he had humbled himself before God, and through this act of washing their feet, was leaving them an example that they were to do the same. This would remind them of the danger of fleshly pride, especially since they were to be granted power in order to perform healings and miracles in his name. It was just after this event that Judas left their gathering to betray his Master, causing Jesus to say: "Now is the son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me, and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come, so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love for one another" John 13:31-35).

This was to be the basis of their discipleship ­ to be grounded in love one to another. They had witnessed his love for them and now must grow in that same love for one another. "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest my love to him" (John 14:21). Their demeanour was to stand out by displaying love in a singleness of purpose to serve the Father. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). To comfort them before his departure, he said: "Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know" (John 14:1-4).

With these words, he emphasized the hope he had endeavoured to impart during his 3½ years of ministry. Even so, we know Thomas's faith was not as strong as it could have been: "Thomas saith unto him, `Lord, we know not whither thou goest, and how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). Thus some of the disciples did not realise that the "way" was in their midst, and had been close to them for the past 3½ years. Being Jews, they had been taught since childhood from the Law, of the coming of the Messiah to establish God's kingdom on earth. They no doubt expected that to happen while Jesus was with them, since they believed he was the Saviour sent from God.. He had to prepare them for his death and resurrection, but encouraged them not to fear, for he would be with them in spirit. They were not to be left without knowing; they would be helped, by the spirit, to come to a further understanding. "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:25-26).

On the day of Pentecost, the spirit of God did visit them as promised, expanding their knowledge and bringing to them a fuller understanding of the word of truth. We are blessed today because of the spirit's visitation upon these disciples, giving them the remembrance and recollection of Jesus' words so that they could record these events for our help. Those who live in his name through belief in him are privileged to know his closeness and care in spirit ­ to help and nurture those that are his, so that they may know that they are not alone. If we are known as his, we know the "Way" through the love of God.

Bro Francis Kotei Odiko (Subri, Ghana)