Dr. Jeannine Hanger, an assistant professor at the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, suggests that Christians should meditate on the feelings of absence experienced by the disciples after the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus when they too feel alone. She draws parallels between the disciples adjusting to life without Jesus and her own experience of adjusting to her daughter’s absence after dropping her off at university. Just like seeing her daughter on FaceTime was comforting but not the same as being with her in person, the disciples had to adjust to the absence of Jesus in their lives.
In John’s Gospel, Jesus delivers a “farewell discourse” to his disciples before his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, preparing them for his absence. Hanger notes that the message seems mixed, with Jesus saying, “I am leaving you,” but also assuring them, “I will be with you.” She interprets this to mean that Jesus will no longer be physically present, but his abiding Spirit assures believers of his nearness. This concept of nearness may be hard to grasp, but it is symbolized by the metaphor of Jesus as the true vine, the Father as the gardener, and the disciples as branches that must remain connected to Jesus.
Hanger emphasizes the stable connection between Jesus and his disciples in the metaphor of the vine and branches, highlighting that it is not about the branches working to become connected, but rather about the believing life that maintains the connection. While she longs for the embodied presence of her daughter, Hanger suggests that Christians may also long for the physical presence of Jesus. During the Lenten season, she encourages drawing encouragement from the garden scene in the Bible, reminding believers that they are not alone.
Ultimately, Hanger’s reflections on the disciples’ experience of absence after Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion serve as a reminder of the comforting nearness of Jesus’ Spirit, even in his physical absence. The metaphor of the vine and branches illustrates the importance of remaining connected to Jesus and trusting in his presence, just as the disciples had to adjust to life without Jesus and find comfort in knowing that he had not truly left them. Hanger’s message encourages believers to find solace in the spiritual presence of Jesus, especially during times of loneliness or uncertainty.
