Беседа 72

John 13:20. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives him whom I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 1. Why St. John reclined on the chest of Jesus Christ when all the other disciples were in fear. – 2. Insensibility of Judas. - Why was there a wallet in the host of students? – 3. Conversation after the Last Supper. – It is not miracles, but love for mankind that constitutes the sign of the disciples of Jesus Christ. – 4. Reproaches that pagans made to Christians. - How the students showed their love for humanity. – The pagans noticed the vices and shortcomings of Christians and made them an excuse for avoiding accepting the Christian faith. 1. Great reward for the services provided to the servants of God, and we receive the fruits from them in this life. “He who receives you,” says Christ, “receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” And what can compare with accepting Christ and His Father? But what connection does this have with what was said before? What is common between the words: “when you do, blessed are you,” and the following: “he who receives” you? The connection is close and very intimate. And look which one it is. Since (the apostles) had to go out (to preach) and suffer great calamities, Christ consoles them in two ways: firstly, through Himself, and secondly, through others. If, he says, you will be wise, always keeping Me in mind and imagining everything that I have suffered and done, then you will easily endure disasters. But not only this (comforts them), but also the fact that they will enjoy great services from everyone. He pointed to the first, saying: “When you do, blessed are you”; and to the other - with the words: “he who receives you, receives Me.” He opened all the houses for them, so that they had double consolation - both in their wisdom and in the zeal of those who served them. Then, having bequeathed this to them, as persons who had to go around the whole universe, and thinking that the traitor had lost both of them, and would not take advantage of anything, that is, neither patience in the midst of labor, nor the services of the people who would receive, He again became indignant in spirit. The Evangelist, meaning this and showing that this is why He was indignant, adds: “Having said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said: ... one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21). Again he puts everyone in fear without calling them by name. Although (the apostles) did not recognize anything bad in themselves, they were perplexed, because they believed more in the words of Christ than in their own thoughts. That's why they looked at each other. Thus, by attributing the whole matter to one, Christ thereby reduced the fear; and by adding: “one of you,” he confused everyone. So what? All the others look at each other, and the always fiery Peter gives a sign to John. Since he had already been reproached before and, when (Christ) wanted to wash his feet, he did not allow it, and everywhere, despite the fact that he acted out of love, he was reproached, now, fearing (a new reproach), he did not remain silent or speak, but through John wants to find out. Here it is appropriate to ask: why, at a time when everyone was in languor and trembling, when the supreme (apostle) was afraid, John, as if in joy, reclines in the bosom of Jesus, and not only reclines, but also falls to his chest? And not only is this worthy of research, but also the following. What exactly? What he says about himself: “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23) Indeed, why didn’t anyone else say this about themselves? After all, others were loved too? But John is greater than others. If it was not another who said this about him, but he about himself, then there is nothing surprising in this. This is what Paul does as circumstances demand, when he says: “I know a man... who was fourteen years ago” (2 Cor. 12:2); Yes, he attributed quite a few other praises to himself. And does it really seem unimportant to you that as soon as he heard: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:18-20), he immediately left the guards and his father and followed, that he alone with Peter was taken up the mountain, and again, on another occasion, entered the house (of the bishop)? Moreover, how much he praised Peter! He did not hide that Christ said to him: Peter, “do you love me more than they?” (John 21:15). And everywhere he shows Peter to be fiery and sincerely disposed towards himself. So, when (Peter) said: “What is he?” (John 21:21), he said this out of great love. That's why no one else said that about themselves; and he would not have said it if he had not had to talk about this circumstance. If he, having said that Peter gave a sign to John to ask, had not added anything else, he would have led us into greater bewilderment and forced us to look for the reason (of Peter’s action). That is why, in order to remove this bewilderment, he himself says: “he reclined at the breast of Jesus” (John 13:23). Do you really think that you learned little when you heard that he was reclining and that the Teacher allowed him such boldness? If you want to know the reason for this, then it was done out of love. That is why he says: “whom Jesus loved.” But I think that he did this for another purpose, namely, wanting to show that he was free from accusations of treason. That is why he speaks and acts fearlessly. Otherwise, why did he say this not at another time, but precisely when the Supreme One gave him a sign? So that you don’t think that he gave him a sign as the eldest, he says that it was done out of great love. Why does he come to the Persians? (The disciples) did not yet think anything great about Christ, and yet (John) through this alleviated his sadness. Naturally, then their faces were sad; after all, if they were confused in their souls, then even more so this confusion (was visible) on their faces. That is why, comforting them with words and questions, (Jesus) allows and allows them to fall to His breasts. Notice also how John is averse to boasting. He did not call himself by name, but said: “whom he loved,” just as Paul said: “I know a man... who was fourteen years ago.” In this case, Jesus denounces the traitor for the first time, but even now - without calling him by name, but how? “He to whom I dip a piece of bread I give” (John 13:26). And this very image of reproof could touch him, if he was no longer ashamed of the meal, eating from one bread. Indeed, let the fellowship at the meal not touch him; but who would not be attracted by the fact that he received bread from Christ? But he was not attracted. That is why “Satan then entered into him,” laughing at his shamelessness. While he was in the ranks (of the apostles), Satan did not dare to enter into him, but attacked him from without; and when (Christ) discovered him and excommunicated him, then he entered into him fearlessly. Since he was so depraved and incorrigible, he should not have been kept in office for long. That is why Christ finally cast him out; and when he was cast out, then Satan took possession of him, and he left the meeting and went out at night. “Then Jesus said to him, “Whatever you are doing, do it quickly.” But none of those reclining understood” (John 13:27–28). 2. Oh, what insensitivity! How could one not soften and be ashamed! But he went out, becoming even more shameless. The words: “do it quickly” do not mean either command or advice; on the contrary, with them (Christ) reproaches and shows that He would like (the traitor) to reform, and that He leaves him only because he was incorrigible. And (this), it is said, “none of those reclining understood.” Here, can anyone be perplexed as to why the disciples, after they asked: “Who is this,” and received the answer: “The one to whom I dipped a piece of bread, I will give,” and after that they did not recognize (the traitor)? Christ probably spoke quietly, so that no one could hear. That is why, of course, John, having fallen to His Persians, asked almost in his ear, so as not to make the traitor obvious, and Christ answered in the same way, so that even now he did not make him obvious. And although He said expressively: “Whatever you do, do it quickly,” yet the apostles, despite this, did not understand. With these words He showed that everything He said to the Jews about death was true. And He said to the Jews: “No one takes it (life) from Me... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again” (John 10:18). And indeed, until He allowed it to be taken, no one was able to; and when he allowed it, then it became an easy matter. Hinting at all this, He said: “whatever you are doing, do it quickly.” But even then He did not make the traitor known. It could have happened that he would have been torn to pieces and killed. That’s why “none of those reclining understood.” Is it really John? Yes, and John, because he did not imagine that the disciple could reach such great lawlessness. Being themselves far from such villainy, (the apostles) could not suspect anything similar in others. So, as before he said to them: “I am not talking about all of you,” and did not reveal (the traitor) anywhere, so now they thought that He was talking about an outsider. “It was night,” it says, “when he went out” (John 13:30–31). Why are you telling me about time? So that you may recognize the shamelessness (of the traitor), since time did not deter him from carrying out the undertaking. However, this did not make it obvious. At that time, the apostles, being overwhelmed by fear and great anxiety, were confused and did not understand the true meaning of Christ’s words. They thought that (Christ) said: “that he might give something to the poor” (John 13:29), since He cared a lot about the poor, teaching us to have great care for them. And they thought so not without reason, but because (Judas) had an ark. However, it is not visible that anyone brought money to Christ. That the disciples fed Him from their property is said about this, but there is no hint of that anywhere. How is it that the One who commanded, does not carry a travel bag, nor copper, nor a staff, carried a reliquary to serve the poor? This is so that you know that even an extremely poor person who has crucified his flesh needs to have great concern about this. For (Christ) did much for our instruction. Thus, the disciples thought that this was what He was saying, that is, that Judas would give something to the poor. But (Judas) was not touched by the fact that He did not want to expose him until the very last time. We should do the same thing - not reveal the sins of the people living with us, even if they were incurable. And even after this, when Judas came to betray Him, he gave him a kiss and deigned to do such a thing when he was already going to a much more difficult feat, to the cross and to blasphemous death; and at the same time again showed His love for mankind. Here He even calls His death glory, teaching us that there is nothing so shameful and reproachful that it would not turn to the greater glory of a person if he undergoes it for the sake of God. After Judas came out to betray Him, He says: “Today the Son of Man is glorified” (John 13:31). By this He encourages the disheartened souls of the disciples and convinces them not only not to complain, but even to rejoice. For this reason He reproached Peter even earlier. To be put to death and to conquer death is indeed great glory. This is what the words that He spoke about Himself mean: “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am” (John 12:32, 8:28), and again: “Destroy this church” (John 2:19), and again: “no sign will be given to you except the sign of Jonah” (Luke 11:29). And isn’t it, in fact, a great glory that He appeared more powerful after death than before His death? The disciples performed great miracles to assure them of the resurrection. And if He had not been resurrected and was not God, then how could they have done such things in His name? “And God will glorify Him” (John 13:32). What does it mean: “and God will glorify Him in Himself”? This means: through oneself, and not through another. “And he will soon glorify Him,” that is, together with the cross. Not after a long time, he says; He will not wait for a distant time of resurrection and will not then reveal Him gloriously; and immediately, on the cross itself, glory will be revealed. And in fact, then the sun darkened, the stones disintegrated, the veil was torn, many bodies of the departed saints were resurrected; there were seals on the coffin, guards surrounded it, a stone lay over the body - and yet the body was resurrected. Forty days passed, and the Spirit descended, and everyone immediately began to preach Him. This is what it means: “he will glorify Him in Himself, and will soon glorify Him”: not through angels and archangels, and not through any other power, but through Himself. 3. But how did He glorify Him through Himself? He did everything for the glory of the Son, although the Son himself did everything. Do you see that (Christ) refers His works to the Father? "Children! I won't be with you for long. You will seek Me, and as I said to the Jews, that where I go you cannot come, so I say to you now” (John 13:33). After the supper, Christ begins a sad conversation. When Judas came out, it was no longer evening, but night. And since they were soon to come to take Him, everything had to be handed over to the apostles so that they would have it in memory. However, it is fairer to say that the Spirit reminded them of everything. It is natural that they forgot a lot, since it was the first time they heard about it and, moreover, they had to be subjected to such great temptations. They were overcome by sleep, as another evangelist notes, and were overcome with sadness, as Christ himself says: “But because I said this to you, your heart was filled with sorrow” (John 16:6); how could they retain all this well in memory? So why were they told? The fact that they, having clearly learned about this later, recalled that they had previously heard about it from Christ himself, contributed no little to their opinion of the glory of Christ. And why does He plunge their souls into despondency in advance, saying: “I will not be with you for long”? This was said to the Jews justly. But why do You put us along with these ungrateful people? Not at all. Why did he say: “as I said to the Jews”? By this He reminded that He predicted this not only now when disasters had already occurred, but He foresaw this even before; and they themselves are witnesses to this, since they heard that He said this to the Jews. That’s why he added: “children,” so that the apostles, having heard “as I said to the Jews,” would not think that these words were spoken to them in the same way as to the Jews. Thus, He said this not to cast them into despondency, but to encourage them, so that unexpected disasters would not disturb them. "Where I go, you cannot come." This shows that His death is repose and a transition to a place where bodies subject to corruption are not allowed. He says this in order to arouse in them love for Himself, and to make it more ardent. After all, you know that we are inflamed with special love for our friends when we see that they are moving away to a place where it is impossible for us to go. So, He said this to the Jews in order to frighten them, and to the apostles - to ignite love in them. This place is such that not only they, but even you, beloved ones, cannot come there. Here He also shows His dignity. “And I tell you now.” Why "now"? Otherwise for them, and otherwise for you, that is, not together with them. When did the Jews look for Him, and when did the disciples? The disciples, after they fled, and the Jews, after the capture of their city and after the wrath of God came upon them from here, were subjected to terrible and indescribable disasters. So, I spoke to the Jews then - because of their unbelief, but to you now, so that disaster would not befall you unexpectedly. “I give you a new commandment” (John 13:34). Since they, hearing these words, could naturally become confused, as people who will be deprived of all help, He consoles them, protecting them with love - this root and affirmation of all good things. He seemed to be saying this: are you grieving that I am leaving? But if you love each other, you will be even stronger. Why didn't He say that? Because he said something that was much more useful for them: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples” (John 13:35). By this He has already shown at the same time that their face will not be destroyed, just as He gave them a distinctive sign. He said this already when the traitor was separated from them. How does He call this commandment new, when it was also in the Old Testament? He made her new in his very image; therefore he added: “as I have loved you.” I, he says, did not repay you a debt for your previous merits, but I myself began (to love you). Likewise, you should do good to your friends, even if you owe them nothing. Thus, keeping silent about the miracles that they had to perform, He makes love their distinguishing feature. Why is this so? Because it especially means holy people, since it is the foundation of all virtue. It is primarily by this that we are all saved. She, he says, means a student. Then everyone will praise you when they see that you imitate my love. 4. What then? Don't miracles show this much better? No. “Many will say...: Lord!... weren’t they casting out demons in Your name?” (Matthew 7:22). And again, when the apostles rejoiced that the demons obeyed them, he said: “Do not rejoice that the spirits obey you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). It is true that miracles brought the universe (to Christ), but this was because they were preceded by love. If there was no love, there would be no miracles. She immediately made the apostles good and wonderful people, so that they all had one heart and one soul. And if they disagreed with each other, then everything would perish. But this is not said to them alone, but to all who believe in Him. After all, even now there is nothing else that seduces the pagans, namely, that there is no love. But they, you say, reproach us for the fact that miracles do not happen? Yes, but not that much. How did the apostles show love? Do you see that Peter and John are inseparable from each other and enter the church together? Do you see that Paul is also animated by love for them, and do you still doubt? If they acquired other virtues, then all the more did they have love, which is the mother of good: it grows from a virtuous soul, and where there is vice, there this plant withers. When, it is said, lawlessness increases, “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). And the pagans are not so much converted by miracles as by life; nothing makes life better than love. Those who performed signs were often called deceivers by the pagans; but they cannot reproach a pure life. Therefore, before the sermon was yet widespread, miracles were rightly the subject of surprise, but now it is necessary to arouse surprise with life. Indeed, nothing seduces as much as vice; yes and fair. After all, when a pagan sees that the one who is commanded to love even his enemies covets, robs, incites hostility and treats his fellow tribesmen like wild animals, he will call our words empty nonsense. When he sees that (a Christian) trembles at death, how will he accept the words about immortality? When he sees that we are power-hungry and servile to other passions, he will be even more committed to his teaching, not thinking anything great about us. We, truly we, are to blame for the fact that the pagans remain in error. They have long condemned their teaching and look at ours with respect; but our life keeps them from converting. It’s easy to philosophize in words, many of them did it; but they require proof from deeds. Let them, you say, think about our ancient men? But they don’t believe at all, but want to see people living now. Show us, they say, faith from your works; but there is no business. On the contrary, they see that we are worse than animals in tormenting our neighbors, and therefore they call us the plague of the universe. This is what holds the pagans back and prevents them from joining us. Therefore, we will be punished for them too - not only because we do evil, but also because through us the name of God is blasphemed. How long will we be attached to wealth, luxury and other passions? Let's finally leave them behind. Listen to what the prophet says about some madmen: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die!” (Isa.22:13). This cannot be said about modern people. Now many are appropriating for themselves the property of everyone, for which the prophet reproaches them, saying: “as if you alone were settled on the earth” (Is. 5:8)? That is why I am afraid that something bad will happen and that we will not attract any punishment from God. And to prevent this from happening, let us practice every virtue in order to achieve future blessings, according to the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom and with whom be glory to the Father with the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: