Here we read some of the last words spoken by the Lord Jesus to His disciples before His crucifixion. He knew the hour had come for Him to depart from the world and go to the Father (Jn. 13:1). He did not primarily have the cross in view, although He would indeed drink that cup of suffering which the Father had given Him (18:11). Nor was He thinking simply of going back to heaven, though indeed He had come down from there and would ascend there again (3:13). Rather, the entire conversation of John 13–17 takes place in the context of this intimate atmosphere—namely, the Lord’s departure from this world to be with the Father who had sent Him.

A short while earlier, Peter had literally asked Him, “Where are You going?” (13:36). Why then did Jesus say here, “None of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’” His point was that the disciples had shown no interest in the fact that He was going to the Father. He had spoken plainly to them about the Father’s house and the Father’s love (Jn. 14). It was His unique joy to be in the Father’s presence, and He wanted to share that joy with them (17:13). However, the disciples missed all of this. The thought of His departure had instead filled their hearts with sorrow. Given the opportunity to converse with the Lord about His joy, they were focused instead on their own sadness.

How prone we are to the same narrow thoughts! So often our thoughts and feelings are based merely on how circumstances affect us, and we do not even consider how they affect Christ. It is His delight, however, to share His joys with us through the Holy Spirit. There is great spiritual profit when we learn to appreciate the things which bring joy to the heart of the Son.