Fifth Sunday of Easter 2025

John 13,31-35

Rev. Neli Miranda

 

Following our recent celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday, we now turn to Jesus’ farewell discourse, a touching section of John’s Gospel that anticipates the upcoming celebration of Jesus’ Ascension and Pentecost Sunday. John’s Gospel dedicates a significant portion, chapters 13-17, to this intimate exchange between Jesus and his community of disciples. Here, embodying the roles of teacher, shepherd, and friend, Jesus comforts his disciples and instructs them on how to live as a community in the world upon his departure. His central teaching is about love!

Today’s passage, John 13:31-35, is situated in the context of the Last Supper. It is here, after a profound act of service and in the shadow of betrayal, that Jesus tells his disciples, “. . .  Love one another, just as I have loved you. . .” This commandment is given to a community of disciples whom Jesus loves deeply. In the preceding verses (13:1-17), Jesus embodies this love by assuming the role of a servant, washing his disciples’ feet. What a way to tell his disciples how much he loves them!

The context in verses 31-35 is critical. Verse 31 begins precisely after Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, departs from the meal (John 13:30). Fully aware of his impending arrest and Judas’ role in it, Jesus had earlier stated, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me” (John 13:21). Though aware of Judas’ intentions, Jesus does not publicly expose him; instead, he offers him an opportunity to think about his plan (John 13:26), but Judas tragically rejects it. Upon Judas’ departure, Jesus speaks with his friends about his upcoming “glorification”, which will be achieved through suffering and death. Then, addressing his disciples tenderly as “Little children” (13:33), he tells them: ^“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (13:34). Therefore, in a moment overshadowed by betrayal, Jesus does not advocate for retribution, for hate or revenge. Instead, he teaches about love and urges his community to love one another just as he has loved them, including the one who has conspired against him. 

As Judas proceeds with his betrayal, the gathered community continues to listen to Jesus who speaks about his imminent suffering, which his disciples still do not comprehend.  Only Peter dares to tell Jesus: “I will lay down my life for you” (13:37). Jesus’ poignant reply foretells Peter’s own frailty: “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times (John 13:38).

Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus’ new commandment is given to a community marked by human weaknesses—a community acquainted with imminent betrayal (Judas) and future denial (Peter), and undoubtedly other human failings. Yet, it remains Jesus’ community, guided by a teacher who has perfectly modeled love and who now calls upon all members to embody this same love. They are called to be an inclusive community where there is forgiveness and reconciliation as signs of love. Thus, Jesus’ new commandment is an invitation to a radical love!

A community that actively embraces all its members within this circle of love, indeed embodies what it means to be Jesus’ disciples. This is the ultimate identifying mark: “. . .by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (13:35). Are we this community?

In a world often characterized by hatred, revenge, indifference, and discrimination, Jesus’ call remains urgent: to practice this radical love, to be the community that washes one another’s feet, and extends the circle of love to encompass all, reflecting the glory of God revealed in Jesus. Amen.