Posts Tagged ‘Farewell Discourse’

Br. David Vryhof

Acts 17:22-31
I Peter 3:8-18
John 14:15-21

The Gospel passage we’ve read this morning is part of the “farewell discourse” of Jesus in the Gospel of John.  In John’s account, Jesus speaks these words to his disciples just after the Last Supper, before he is betrayed and arrested, brought to trial, and put to death.  It’s a lengthy discourse, spread over four chapters, offering further teaching, reassurance, and prayers.  The farewell discourse is packed full of theology, and it can be challenging for readers to understand all that Jesus is saying.  Some readers may feel like they’re pushing through a lengthy theological lecture, interesting at points, but definitely heavy-going.  There’s a lot here.

Tucked into these chapters of theological discourse is a short phrase that catches my attention.  Jesus says to his disciples, “I will not leave you orphaned.”

What prompted him to say that?

If we view this Final Discourse as a lengthy theological lecture, we’ll miss the significance of this phrase and of this entire section.  We shouldn’t imagine Jesus standing like a teacher at a lectern, explaining to his sleepy disciples complex theological concepts that he thought they ought to know.  Rather, we should picture him surrounded by his closest friends, speaking to them with great compassion, care, and concern.  This is a very intimate conversation, not a theological discourse. Read More