John 13.3-5 ‘This is who I am’
This talk was written for a Maundy Supper, and is inspired by John 13.3-5: Jesus was able to serve and love to the end, because he knew who he was, where he had come from, and where he was going. We need that same confidence in who Jesus is, and in who we are in him.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.
John 13.3-5 (NIV)
Who am I? This is who I am.
I am the one who was there when the world was made.
My Father made all things through me and for me.
I am the one who called my people to God: ‘before Abraham was, I am.’
I am the one who watched my people turn away.
I am the one who showed the prophets what it means to be a servant: despised and rejected, familiar with pain and suffering.
I am the one who was born,
wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger.
I am the one who was seen by shepherds and stargazers,
heralded by a heavenly host,
hated by king Herod.
I am the one who had to flee, a refugee in a foreign country.
I am the one who grew up by the sea of Galilee.
I am the one who was baptised in the Jordan,
I am the one who was cast out and tested in the desert
for forty days and forty nights.
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
Luke 4.18-19 (NIV)
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.
I am the one who fulfils that prophecy,
I am the one who God sent.
I am the one who healed the sick, who cast out demons.
I am the one who called the fishermen, who taught the crowds.
I am the one who raised the dead to life.
I am the Messiah, God’s chosen one,
his only and beloved Son.
I am the one who serves,
who set aside his majesty to stoop and to serve those he loves.
I am the one who wept.
I am the one betrayed by the kiss of a friend,
I am the one who was arrested and beaten, cursed and spat on.
I am the one who was tried unfairly,
convicted unjustly
and sentenced by a coward.
I am the one who hung there, alone.
The crowds: angry.
The leaders: gloating.
My friends: fled.
They left me there, alone -
yet my Father was there,
watching,
weeping.
I am the one who was killed,
killed when it should have been you:
you are the one who deserved my cross.
You are the one who shouted and jeered.
You are the one who called out and mocked.
You are the one who pierced my side.
You are the one who passed on by.
You are the one who gambled for my robe.
You are the one who could never repay.
You are the one who is lost on the way.
But I,
I am the one who was sent to find.
I am the one who paid the price.
I am the one who hung in your place.
I am the one who is faithful and true.
I am the one who gave it all up,
for I am the one who loves – you.
I am the one who takes away your sin and shame.
I am the one who overcame.
I am the one who killed death dead, so you could live again.
I am the one who is for – you.
I am the one who did all this for – you,
for I am the one who loves – you.
I am the one who gave my life to wash yours clean.
I am the one who says, ‘Do this to remember me.’
I am the one who was broken, so you could be made whole.
I am the one who says, ‘Do this to remember me.’
I am the one who was nailed to a tree, so you could go free.
I am the one who says, ‘Do this to remember me.’
Who am I?
This is who I am:
I am Jesus, and you are my body.
‘My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no-one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. ... This is my command: love each other [as I have loved you].’
John 15.12-14, 17 (NIV)