WATCHWORD:
Scripture and Meditation:
Parakletos and the Last Supper
The scene is an upper room, on a dusty side street of Jerusalem. The buffet is spread, and the disciples have gathered, along with Jesus. This is what we call the Last Supper, the day before His betrayal and crucifixion. He knows what is about to happen, but the disciples do not. They are aware of the tension directed toward their Master, but are truly not prepared for tomorrow, one of the worst days of their lives. Jesus tells them:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going. 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6
Jesus’ purpose this night is to prepare them, assure them that they will not be alone. He chooses his words carefully — 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you a parakletos, who will never leave you. 17He is the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
Unlike you and me, those listening to Jesus in that upper room, at that moment, would know, immediately, the meaning of that word parakletos. In Jesus’ use of that word, they would understand how all-inclusive that assurance of Jesus’ presence was. But we can imagine the question on the minds of those men: “Why are you going, Master, and where?” But Jesus does not respond to that unspoken question, instead, he pauses in His eating, and –
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:3-5
The meal is over, the disciples are left puzzling over what Jesus has told them. Judas had slipped out, un-noticed. Jesus, understanding their confusion, now speaks a final benediction –
sDo not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Jesus uses the word parakletos for a specific purpose. It is a powerful word that denotes not only a presence in the lives of the disciples, but a persistence and a permanence.
Parakletos is an interesting word, a strange word. The word sounds a lot like it should be related to parakeets or parrots, but believe me, no, unless you view those birds as constant companions. Which, come to think of it, maybe where their names actually came from in the Greek word. Hm…Well, moving on.
Parakletos is a Greek word, and like so many Greek words, there are multiple meanings. When we use Greek words it’s almost required that you expand on that word or clarify the meaning. (Side Bar – Who uses Greek words in your life, anyway?) Parakletos is an adjective that can’t be easily translated into English. There are shades of English words in it, like Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Friend, Helper, etc. If you use it as a noun, there are other meanings, and as a verb, still others. One professor with a sense of humor has said, “Keep digging. If this were easy, you’d know it already!”
I’m not digging. My point is that when Jesus was talking to his disciples during the Last Supper, just before His crucifixion, he was assuring His disciples, in no uncertain terms, that they would not be left without help, broadly defined and all-inclusive. It was a declarative statement, but one they would understand fully only after the Resurrection and after their experience at Pentecost.
Well, in our Christian walk we do embrace the Resurrection and we have experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ words reassure us, they take away our fear and give us a sense of His peace and calmness. Can you feel it? So be it. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Inquiring Minds #1 — Q: Why is there plastic on the payment keys when I pay with my credit card? A: To protect people from Covid. Q: But, isn’t everyone touching the plastic key pad the same way when they use a card? A: Confused look, no answer.
Inquiring Minds #2, at the drive-thru — Server holds a tray out the window with a bag on food. Q: Why is my bag of food on a tray? A: So I don’t touch your food because of Covid. Q: Didn’t the cook touch my food? Didn’t the person wrapping my food touch it and then touch it again when placing it in my bag? Didn’t you touch the bag when you put it on the tray? Did you touch the tray? A: Confused look, no answer.
(Life is hard for logical people right now.). Thanks, Lee.
Closing Prayer:
God, who is more than we can ever comprehend, help us to seek you, and you alone. Help us to stand before all that we could do and seek what you would do, and do that. Lift from us our need to achieve all that we can be and instead surrender to what you can be in us. Give us ways to refrain from the busyness that will put us on edge and off center, give us today your peace. Amen.
