A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Come Now, Let's Go"
They sat around the Passover Meal table listening intently to Jesus’ words while still attempting to digest what had just happened; Jesus washed their feet. He asked them if they understood. They didn’t - yet. There was something unique about this teaching time. It had an intimacy that they had not experienced before. There was a deeper sense of urgency in Jesus’ voice. The familiar Passover Seder was prophetically transformed and fulfilled, though this too they did not fully understand at the time. And the teaching’s preparatory tone was too obvious to miss. They wanted so desperately to understand, but it was all so confusing. “Please talk to us plainly Jesus.” (John 16:18) Before the night was over there would be moments of clarity. Even with their confusion it must have been clear that this was a life altering time. They surely didn’t want to leave the table until it was all clear, until they had the “ah ha” moment. But the night was abruptly interrupted when Jesus blurted out, “Come now; let us leave.” (John 14:31)

Jesus didn’t stop teaching which leaves biblical scholars stumped as to just what this verse means. Did Jesus mean leave the table? Leave the room? Just what happened here? Why did John believe it important enough to note this right in the middle of this teaching discourse? Is it simply a literary tool? And does it make any difference? Does this verse have anything to teach us?

The 12 men have been sitting around the table for long time. The Passover Seder is lengthy. Add to it the teaching moments along the time consuming foot washing and you have a long night. Jesus knew His time had come (John 13:1).  We discover from the other Gospels that Jesus would make His way with the eleven to the Mount of Olives for prayer. It was not unusual for Jesus to teach as he walked along the road. Therefore this verse can be as simple as, “come on it’s time to go.” They left the room and as they made their way to the Mount of Olives Jesus used the imagery of the vineyard to continue His teaching; “I am the true vine...” (John 15:1)

How often are we like the apostles wanting so desperately to understand it all before we go out into the world? We are comfortable in the classroom. We have been conditioned to sit in the classrooms to learn and then, when we have learned it all, go and do. We like, and want, it all to be clear. But the fact is that we need to learn on the journey. Some of the most important lessons are not learned in the upper room classroom around the table, but in the midst of the journey, along the way. Jesus said the Father would send the Spirit of Truth who would abide with us forever. He would remind us of His teaching and would teach us all truth. We need our upper room times. We must have time sitting at Jesus’ feet listening intently. But we must not remain there. Jesus says, “Come now, let’s go.” And we go, live, and do while continuing to listen and learn.

This reminds me of another time in Peter, James and John’s journey with Jesus. There they were on the mountain top; Jesus had just been transfigured before their eyes. In fearful awe they fell face down on the ground. Talk about an epiphany! This was the place to be. This was the place to live. Yeah, it was time to build and settle down right there. Right then their euphoric planning was interrupted when Jesus tapped them on the shoulder and led them down the mountain. “Come on, let’s go.”

Keep Close to Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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