Jesus Must Suffer Alone

St. John 13:31-38 contains Jesus' words to his disciples that he must go where they cannot come. Twice he says this, the second time saying (to Peter), "thou shalt follow me afterwards." Though initially this is seen as a reference to Peter's coming crucifixion, we may take it also to indicate two things: first, that Jesus must make atonement alone. We cannot do this with him, we cannot placate God nor make up for our sins; he must do this for us. Second, we follow him after he has done this, by loving one another. Hearts melted by his love learn to love in return. The sermon.