By this time, we are used to the difference between John’s narrative and the other (synoptic) gospels. That difference continues to the crucifixion, where he omits details well attested by the others and instead adds eyewitness testimony as one who saw it all, as it were, from the front row.

We normally think of Jesus’ apprehension and trial as being all about Him. Sure, they were the means for the culmination of His mission. But we can do nothing about it. Jesus submitted Himself to the will of the Father and everything happened as planned. It is unchangeable. What is changeable, in the midst of it all, is us. How do we choose to respond to it?

Holy Week having passed not so long ago, the story of the Passion is still fresh in our minds. Depending on which gospel you read it from, you get different details; so that all the narratives can be woven together into a coherent whole in a Combined Gospel. We continue with John’s eyewitness testimony.

For a long time, I have thought of this last set of chapters in the Gospel of John as Jesus’ Evensong: The song of prayers at the end of the day… In this case, at the end of a life. Chapter 17 is the prayer itself: From Jesus to the Father.

Jesus continues His intensive final night of teaching with His disciples. He has already told them He is going away but what that really means is not clear yet to them. In part, that is because a plan of Salvation mediated by the death of the Messiah – and that death on a cross – was an idea so preposterous that it could hardly fit in their minds. For that very reason, that lack of clarity was also, partly, on purpose: Jesus knew they couldn’t “take it” just yet.

He is Risen… He is Risen indeed! So goes the traditional Paschal greeting. I hope this Holy Week has been a time of contemplation and renewing for you. It was a tumultuous week for Jesus’ disciples. At times it must have felt like it was passing in the blink of an eye… and at times it must have felt like it dragged on for an eternity. Fear, doubt, despair… and then, suddenly, on Sunday, indescribable joy.