In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us the true meaning of freedom and truth. His words are simple but profound: “If you remain in my word, you will be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” His words are profound because he challenges our common notions of freedom and truth. For many, freedom is the ability to do whatever I want whenever I want. For some, truth is an abstract principle or some personal possession as we hear in phrases such as “my truth” or “alternate truths.” Even Pilate tries to avoid the truth.
“Jesus answered, ‘You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate said to him, ‘What is truth?’” (John 18:27-38)
The irony in this passage is that truth in John’s Gospel is not a principle but a person, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus shows us the true way to freedom, the true way to God.
Jesus declares to his disciples: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6-7). He goes on to teach that when we see Jesus, we see God the Father. Jesus shows us the “true way” to God and so the “true way” to life. Freedom in the New Testament is not “doing whatever I want” but doing the will of God. It is only when we do God’s will that we are truly free. Jesus teaches that when we “remain in my [Jesus’] word,” that is when we remain in Jesus, we are truly free because we are then following the way and the will of God.
Jesus shows us that God’s way is one of service and sacrifice. He teaches by his actions particularly as he washes the feet of his disciples. After performing this humble action Jesus declares to his disciples:
“Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:12-15)
When we wash the feet of one another we are following the way of truth and freedom because we are imitating our master and teacher, Jesus.
Image: “IMG_2550HA Jacob Jordaens 1593-1678. Jésus instruisant Nicodème. Jesus instructing Nicodemus. Bruxelles.” by jean louis mazieres is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.