The Gospel of John (chapters 13– 17) records the last meeting of Jesus and His disciples before His death. This would have been the perfect time for Jesus to give them an unforgettable blueprint for accomplishing God’s mission in this world.
He might have clarified some theological questions that have fueled controversy for centuries. He could have shared some ideas on fundraising and strategies for reaching every village, town, and city. The disciples could have learned about setting priorities. And certainly some ideas about sharing the good news among diverse cultures and languages would have been most timely.
But Jesus did not address these matters, at least not directly. He used His last few moments to focus on relationships rather than tasks. He washed the disciples’ feet, spoke about His betrayal, reaffirmed that He had chosen them, gave a new commandment, described the work of the Holy Spirit, and used the vine and branches metaphor as a symbol of the relation between Him and His disciples.
Could it be that Jesus was telling His followers (then and now) that the first task in mission is to create a people, a community, that reflects
God’s own character and exists to bring Him praise and honor? This encompasses the real meaning of revival—giving God His rightful place in our lives. For the truth is that when we take care of our private lives with God, our public life will take care of itself.
