A close reading of John’s Gospel Epiphany 2020
Reading for this week
• Chapters: 16-19 •
16 — Coming and Work of the “Paraclete”
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17 — “High Priestly prayer” and Unity
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18 — Betrayal, Arrest, and Denial
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19 — Sentencing, Crucifixion and Burial
Birth Pangs Chapter 16 starts, “I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling.” What follows are words of warning and words of assurance. Parable-like saying about a woman in labor… pain precedes rejoicing. Disciples WILL suffer, scatter, suffering will increase, but will give way to rejoicing Appropriate because “my hour is come”… “I am going away” - that is beneficial because ANOTHER “advocate” (paraclete=comforter, guide, counselor) WHY is it helpful to trade Jesus for Paraclete?
Another Paraclete Holy Spirit (Ch14) Will bring to your remembrance (teacher, reminder) (Ch15) Bear witness to Jesus (Here) Convince the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment Guide the community into all truth Tell future community TRUTH that present community could not bear / hear
17: Jesus’ Prayer for Disciples • • • •
End drawing near - final prayer Mission of Son (v2-3) is to “give eternal life to all you’ve given him.” THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE —
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They may know you and Jesus Again “realized eschatology” LIFE or the end (or Kingdom of God) is available in experiencing Christ
They have kept your word, they believe…Pray you will protect them
Jesus prays for himself (1-5); his inner circle (6-19), THEN who will believe based upon their testimony — future generations (20-26)
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Then prays for UNITY of all… and
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This Farewell Discourse / High Priestly Prayer is written to bind every generation together in common experience through testimony passed on… it BINDS us as ONE “as the Father and I are one.”
Thomas later (20:28-29) will proclaim “Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet believe.”
Ch18: Betrayal / Arrest • • • • • • • •
Like synoptics: GARDEN, what’s different? Soldiers, Pharisees, Scribes with lanterns? Judas, but no kiss… soldiers fall to ground Ear lost by slave, “Malchus”… why named? • “King” — Symbolic or later known? Luke: “Pray that this cup will pass” sweating blood… John: “Am I not to drink the cup?” Peter’s denial also 3X — but enabled by “the Beloved disciple” Jesus and Pilate — but seems Jesus turns the table around and Pilate is on trial. From what KINGDOM is Jesus?
Ch 19: Cross and Burial • • • • • • •
Who is in charge? Jesus mocked in purple + crown Pilate, “Don’t you know I have POWER?” People, “We have no king but the emperor.” Who carries the cross? Who falls? None of the weakness described in Synoptics Hebrew, Latin, and Greek… WHY? Who is at foot of the cross?
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Mary + sister, Mary wife Clopas, Mary Magdalene PLUS “Beloved disciple” ?? John or other? FAMILY continues beyond…
It is ‘tetelesti’ (finished and continue to be finished) Accomplished — Complete… and ongoing! It is finished is triumphant shout… contra Luke’s “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” God’s work assignment is accomplished — obedience to the end… NOW will draw all to him as he sits on his throne. Jesus “gives up” Spirit — not taken from him
It is ‘tetelesti’ (finished and continue to be finished) Jesus is in charge all way to the end. Thirst — not because he needs, but to fulfill. Maybe… Take last of cup of sorrows — bitter wine? Source of living water now ironically thirsts? after death will flow living water? Blood + water from side — Sacramental? Joseph and NICODEMUS! no longer at night. 100 pounds of spice?
Caution: Anti-semitic language in Lent and Holy Week • •
“The Jews”… “We have no king but the emperor.”
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His blood be on our children and children’s children
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The “LEADERS” of the Jews — but then to contemporize, how about the “leaders of the Church, who might be in that role in our own time
Crucify him, crucify him… Pilate tries to escape responsibility but the crowd is stirred up by the chief priests and scribes…
Remember the family feud is hot when John and Matthew are written. Consider the implications of being separated from others of the faith… who do you blame?
Coming up: Walking in Lent using Easter Vigil a model for faithfulness in the Way of LOVE April 19: Easter 2 Resurrection in John (Ch20-21)