Remembering important events during the Last Supper, John records some long discourses during that meal. Today we look at an outstanding moment from that night. This time the words and actions are short, but very powerful. Where is the glory of God? The answer is there in Jesus’ actions.
Facing Judas’ impending betrayal, Jesus offers him close friendship right up to the last moment. Jesus shares food off of this own plate with Judas. This is a gesture of very close friendship or family relationship. Then he lets Judas go. Jesus surrounds the betrayal with an embrace of love. Similarly, when an overly enthusiastic Peter proclaims that he is willing to sacrifice himself, Jesus does not reject Peter nor ridicule him nor make fun of him. He only announces the truth of Peter’s wavering devotion at that moment in his life and points to his future fidelity.
Here in Jesus, there is no violence, no rejection, no judgement, no recriminations, no whining, and no duplicity. None of that aimed at God, his own mission, his own life, nor those around him. Jesus embraced his mission as the Paschal Lamb by embracing with love and forgiveness the betrayal and abandonment of Judas and Peter and all most all his disciples and apostles that would lead to his arrest and Passion.
The Last Supper was a Passover meal; one great prayer of thanksgiving and blessing directed to God for his action in the life of Israel. Thanksgiving and blessing – that is the glory of God. Jesus gave thanks to God the Father and continued to bless the Father even though he could see that God’s plan was leading to the Passion and the Cross. Living the cross in our own lives, blessing God, giving thanks to God leads to the resurrection. The glory of God is in embracing our cross and blessing God from the cross. That embrace of forgiveness, love, and confidence is the glory that produces true life. The glory of God destroys death, sin, and sadness in our lives and produces true life, communion with God and others.
Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.
Image: CANVA CJ Dunn 29 March2026 AI generated.