And so this special conversation between Jesus and his disciples comes full circle. We began at the start of chapter 13, as the Passover Meal commenced: ‘Jesus knew that the hour had come…’ It is fitting that he concludes this conversation by repeating this phrase: ‘The hour is coming…’ (v25, v32) It’s often translated time, but the word ‘ora’ is the same in both passages.
But what time? What ora?
In a continuation of what Jesus said in yesterday’s text, it is a time first of trouble, then of joy. Jesus refers to the trouble last: (v32) ‘A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone.’ Jesus knows that the trials he is shortly to face will terrify the disciples, who will flee.
Yet this is not the end of the story. He will prevail, and once he has risen and sees them again, he will be able to teach them more about the God they will dedicate their lives to serve: (v25-26) ‘A time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name.’ This surely refers to their time together after Jesus’ resurrection, when, as Luke says, ‘he appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.’ (Acts 1:3)
Jesus is particularly keen to emphasise that, once he has risen, we will be able to seek the Lord directly in prayer, and not rely on Jesus to do it for us. Of course, Jesus is always praying for us – but the amazing promise here is that we are not somehow dependent on Jesus persuading his Father on our behalf – God the Father will be listening to us personally, a divine Parent who ‘loves you because you have loved me’ (v27).
There is one last great promise in this text, which concludes one of the greatest conversations ever to have taken place in human history: (v33) ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
Life is challenging. But Jesus has overcome! So we take heart, and can know peace.
What a summary of our journey of faith. And a good basis for our prayers today, or any day, which we can pray direct to our heavenly Father, just as Jesus encouraged. May the Lord grant us all grace to turn our troubles to him, to trust in his victory, and to find hope and peace in the loving arms of our Lord. Amen.