Abstract
Family life plays an integral part in our society. In the South African context we live in a society where there seems to be a break down in society. This is prevalent in our schools where we see so many children come from single parent homes. The father figure is absent. It is only when we encounter a personal relationship with Christ that we discover how the family unit is stabilized. In the light of this, the whole research is based on the metaphor of the family in the Fourth Gospel, and how it is employed at micro-, meso- or macro-level in the gospel.
JG van der Watt's book, Family of the king. Dynamics of metaphor in the Gospel according to John (2000) forms the basis of this research. He points out that the metaphor of the family is the most essential imagery in the gospel. The footwashing pericope in John 13:1-20 fits into the family metaphor as Jesus calls those closest to him, namely his disciples in a warm friendly environment to inform them of his impending hour and what impact it will have on them.
Chapter 1 centers around the research premise. Elements featuring in this chapter are: the introduction, problem statement, aim of research, methodology and further development of the study. The significance of why Jesus washed the feet of the disciples and the setting he uses in drawing his disciples aside. Furthermore, in the light of the metaphor of the family he draws their attention to the hour at hand. Various interpretations are then employed on micro-, meso- and macro-level from a narratological point of view.
In Chapter 2 the function of the family in Jewish and Graeco-Roman cultures are discussed. Aspects such as the patron-client relationship and how this filters through to the family are taken in consideration. Family responsibility and how each member of the family has a role to play in ensuring the cohesion of the family life. The hierarchy of this function and this responsibility stems from the father right down to the slaves. This is important in the footwashing pericope, because Jesus breaks with conventional norms to take the place of a slave in washing the feet of the disciples. Purposes for footwashing are discussed and why it is significant in John 13.
Chapter 3 contains the discussion of the meaning and function of the metaphors in general and specific in the Gospel of John. In this chapter the following are considered: theoretical considerations of a metaphor, definitions and nature of a metaphor, types of metaphors and how they function as well as the imagery of the family metaphor. John emphasizes in this gospel the divinity of Jesus and his relationship with God. He used household entities centered around a meal to portray, not only Jesus' relationship on a personal level with his disciples, but also on a divine level or spiritual level in their identification with Christ, in him washing the feet of the disciples. Furthermore, the chapter focuses on the aspects of family members' responsibility in the household as well as the care and love the members show towards each other.
Chapter 4 is the focal point of the research and contains a detailed exegesis of John 13:1-20 to explain the function of the family on macro- and meso-level. The metaphor that links with the metaphor of the family, such as the metaphor of water and the significance of water in the Fourth Gospel as well as the metaphor of bread, life and the hour, are also discussed.
In the final chapter of my research the focus is on the implications the text has for our society. In the footwashing pericope, the example Jesus sets in washing his disciples feet, is one of service. By identifying with Jesus Christ on a personal level we are called upon to be in his service and to serve one another. More importantly is our acceptance of Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. We are also called upon to exercise the love of God in our hearts to those around us.
Dr. S.J. Nortjie-Meyer