John 13 (pt 3)

Going, but not yet gone.

Explaining your imminent departure to minds that cannot grasp it’s approach,

And who will struggle to accept it once it has passed them by.

You have known this is coming for a long time,

But I wonder how you could stand the pleading voices of your friends,

Without breaking down once more into tears.

.

Peter, like a puppy who fears abandonment each time his owner changes room,

Desperate to follow, in case he is forgotten,

Boldly states unachievable fact,

(And undesirable, if he understood where you were going next),

And your words of reply appear harsh and dismissive,

Yet will be the comfort he holds tightly to, in years yet to come.

.

“When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.  If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” [John 13:31-38]