Despite their confession of faith and loyalty to Jesus, the disciples will be shocked by his passion. They will all scamper for their own safety. They will be scattered, abandoning Jesus. Jesus says, however, that there is one who is always faithful and true: God. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel witnessed to the faithfulness of God (Ex 34:6-7; Dt 7:9; 32:4; Ps 100). This is due to their covenant with God.

The faithfulness of God to Jesus, however, is based on something that is more profound. The foundation of this faithfulness is the oneness between Jesus, the Son, and God who is his Father. The mission of Jesus is from the Father who sent him, and who accompanies him always (Jn 8:29). It is based on their being “one” (Jn 10:30) which hints also at oneness in the Godhead.

This oneness, however, does not mean that Jesus was spared of the absence of God. He felt it most deeply on the cross, making him cry out in the words of the psalm, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Ps 22:2; cf Mt 27:46; Mk 15:24). Part of Jesus’ suffering was not only physical pain, but also the feeling of the absence of God. Indeed, he took upon himself the torments that we feel as human beings, he was similarly tested in every way, and in the process, became our compassionate High Priest (Heb 4:15).

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They answered him, “We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” He said, “How were you baptized?” They replied, “With the baptism of John.” Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Altogether there were about twelve men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly with persuasive arguments about the Kingdom of God.

“Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.” or “Alleluia.”

The disciples said to Jesus, “Now you are talking plainly, and not in any figure of speech. Now we realize that you know everything and that you do not need to have anyone question you. Because of this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? Behold, the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered to his own home and you will leave me alone. But I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.”