Jesus had told his 12 apostles several times that he would be killed in Jerusalem. Peter objected to this notion when he first heard it. He was rebuked by Jesus because dying and rising from the dead was his main mission. Before they went to Jerusalem for the last time the disciples objected because of the hostility Jesus had encountered on their previous visit to the capital. Thomas resigned himself to Jesus' determination with the words: "Let us go and die with him" (John 11:16). It is doubtful that he fully grasped what he was saying. This became evident when they all deserted Jesus later (Mark 14:50).
The above synopsis helps us to appreciate the discussion taking place during the last Passover meal Jesus had with his apostles as recorded in John 13-17. Remembering his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, and how he had rebuffed the trick questions of the authorities, the twelve must have thought that the Messianic age was about to begin. That may be why they started jockeying for position during the meal. Was it their insensitivity that prompted Jesus to wash their feet, modeling servant leadership? (Luke 22:24, 27)
When Jesus got serious about the fact that he was going away, the questions started. Thomas: "We don't know where you're going, how can we know the way?" Philip: "Show us the Father ... " (John 14:5, 8). Other than Judas Iscariot, the apostles did not have an idea of how the next 24 hours would play out. While Jesus was in agony in Gethsemane his most trusted companions fell asleep (Mark 14:34, 37). The shock of their lives awaited them but they were too tired to stay awake.
After meeting the resurrected Jesus their relationship with him underwent a transformation. When he saw Jesus Thomas exclaimed: "My Lord and my God". Jesus' words during their last meal left such an imprint on John's mind that decades later he could record them verbatim in five chapters of his gospel. How could Philip forget the words: "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"? (John 14:9)
It can be very revealing to a child of God to spend much time on chapters 13 to 17 of John's gospel. There the heart of God is revealed as he spent quality time with those who entrusted their lives to him. He likened the events which would follow his arrest to the pain of a woman in labour and the joy she experiences with the birth of her child. Jesus spoke about the birth pains preceding his second coming (Mark 13:8). Surely we are experiencing some of those today.
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