Good morning! It is going to be a wet one today! Finn and I had a chance to get out yesterday for the brief moment in the afternoon when the sun was out and warm! Thermometer hit 72 degrees yesterday afternoon and I had some windows open for a brief moment!
The story of Lazarus' resurrection brought some good thoughts out. Thanks!
Today we transition to Passion Week, beginning with a familiar story. As we read the Passion narrative, pay attention and notice the differences between John's interpretation and the Synoptic Gospels. There are some interesting ones!
John begins with "Six days before the Passover..." so we have a definite timeframe here (the synoptic gospels put it two days before the Passover). About half of John's Gospel is devoted to Jesus' last week; Matthew uses about a third of his text, Mark uses about 40% of his text and Luke "only" about 25% to cover the last seven days of Jesus' life. If someone was writing your biography posthumously, how long would your last week be in relation to the whole story?
We are not sure why Lazarus' family made dinner for Jesus. Was it a thank-you for the resurrection of Lazarus? Was it just a family and friends gathering? Jesus knew what was coming in the next week, yet He still attended! From Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3, this is at the home of Simon the Leper; some indications were that Martha and Simon were married since she is definitely the hostess here.
Mary gives Jesus an unusual gift. It was common to wash the feet of visitors- they were dusty and dirty after walking all day, so the washing was expected, but it usually not done at the dinner area. Nor is it done with spikenard. Usually the oil is dabbed on the person's head as a perfume. To attend to someone's feet was the lowliest task of a slave- expressing Mary's humbleness and devotion. And she used her hair to wipe his feet, meaning she had to let her hair down in public- something a good Jewish woman would never do!
Judas then makes the statement about selling the oil and giving the money to the poor. Judas had not been approached by the religious leaders yet, so betrayal was not on his mind. Was Judas angry at Mary's devotion and love for Jesus that he wanted to humiliate her? Was he angry at her lack of social morals (letting her hair down)? We know he is a thief and also the money-keeper for the disciples. Did he want to line the coffers for his benefit? Why did he say what he did?
Jesus corrects Judas, commenting about His burial?! We would never comment on the cost of someone's funeral, so it wasn't appropriate for Judas to comment as he did. And what is Jesus doing talking about His burial?! But there is no response to those words! Did people even hear what Jesus said or were they too shocked at Judas' comments?
Chief priests were mostly Sadducees (v 10). Sadducees do not believe in resurrection, yet here is Lazarus- living example of resurrection. So they had to get rid of him and also get rid of Jesus because of the miracle of resurrection He did for Lazarus. Jesus was getting quite a following, especially after the resurrection of Lazarus, and the religious orders didn't like losing people to another!
We now come to John's interpretation of Palm Sunday- Jesus' entry to Jerusalem (vv 12+). The crowd is not unusual since all Jews were required to be in Jerusalem for the Passover. Many had lambs as the requirement was that the sacrificial lamb had to live with the family for at least three days (Hmm...three days!) Josephus, a reliable Jewish historian, tells that one year a census was taken of the lambs slaughtered for Passover; the number was over 250,000 lambs!! Palm branches were a symbol of Jewish nationalism since the time of the Maccabees; the crowd looked to Jesus as a national savior (not necessarily a spiritual savior)! The crowd shouted "Hosanna" which means "save us now"; they were looking for Jesus to save them from Roman oppression. Jesus come in riding on a donkey (symbol of peace) not a horse (symbol of war). Many were there from hearing what Jesus did to Lazarus. If Jesus could resurrect the dead, what might he be able to do to help us fight Caesar and Rome! Jesus' popularity was "offensive" to the Pharisees and other religious authority; they are afraid of what might happen during the festival!
To the Greeks (remember, likely Gentiles or pagans) (vv 20+) and their interest in Jesus. They may have been Greek converts to Judaism coming to Jerusalem for Passover; they may have been Greeks who respected Judaism but didn't convert; they may have been travelers that were interested in seeing the Passover festival; maybe they just wanted to meet Jesus. When they expressed an interest in Jesus, Jesus responds with "Now is the time" (v 23). Several times before, Jesus said, not now. However, when these Greek Gentiles came, the time was then. An invitation for the Gentiles to come to Jesus? Jesus never really responds to the Greeks; we don't know the end of this commentary.
Jesus makes a profound statement (and I have used this at many funerals), "Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground an dies..." (v 24). Jesus is saying that He must die to create life. Think of the people in your life that have made an impact on you and how their death made you a better person, trying to emulate them.
Jesus speaks about his impending death. Jesus knows what is going to happen; Jesus is visibly shaken and disturbed; Jesus is in deep prayer and thought with God (vv 27-28). God responds (v 28) and the people hear it! Can you imagine being there hearing God's voice?! Oh what a fearful yet beautiful experience! Jesus proclaims his coming execution and the casting out of Satan from the world (vv 31-33). Jesus assures the people that He will be with them a short while longer (v 35); Jesus' earthly light and ministry will soon be extinguished, but the call continues to follow Jesus.
Jesus goes into hiding and the people begin to question- again (vv 37+). John presented many great miracles, yet the people still were questioning Jesus and Jesus' messiahship. It is interesting that John comments (v 42-43) that the religious authority was beginning to believe, and that is what scared them! Maybe Jesus was the Messiah- now what about us (the Pharisees and Sadducees)! If Jesus was the Messiah, they would definitely lose their following and power- then what!?
We then hear Jesus' last public words in John (vv 44-50). In this last public statement, Jesus emphasizes the themes to his public teaching, a call to follow, and a warning to those who don't follow. Jesus emphasizes his unity with God and the fact that Jesus is here to save people, not condemn. You can definitely sense Jesus' commitment and compassion here in these words.
This chapter was full of emotions and feelings. A great but troubling read. This will continue for the next several days as we hear Jesus' farewell discourse- a series of chapters (14 through 17) in John's Gospel (not in the synoptics) where Jesus has a heartfelt compassionate talk to his disciples.
As an aside, at the suggestion of some, I am trying to arrange a question/answer time with a local rabbi about Judaism and Jesus. How many of you would be interested in something like this? Not sure if we would meet at the synagogue or if she would travel here. Details will come out eventually. Just looking for interest now.
I hope you enjoy the day and the readings.
Wow this chapter really stirred up some emotions for me. First of all this always gets to me that Jesus was so welcomed as he entered Jerusalem only to be turned against a few days later. That he faces his death and what is to come with such grace is hard to imagine, although we probably all know someone who has done this.
ReplyDeleteSomeone who has had such an impact on me was my grandmother. My sister and I are always saying we what to grow old as gracefully as our grandmother. Our granddaughter is named Frances after my grandmother. Natalie was 16 when she died. She told us she always new if she had a girl she would name her Frances. I'm sorry if I already told this story. This chapter also made me think about the book The Five People You Meet In Heaven. Wouldn't it be great to know who they are. I have been trying to think who I would think they would be.
I would be very interested in meeting with a Rabbi.
That is one hard part of Passion week- the great invitation and welcome only to be turned on a few days later!
DeleteGrandmothers seem to be the ones to impact us most. Thanks for sharing your story.
Interesting chaper as being somewhat different than other gospels Expensive oil was poured over Jesus's head in previous readings and Judas was not mentioned as the one complaining about the cost of the oil, I also don't recall that it was mentioned that the crowds came to See Jesus because of his raising Lazarus from the dead. Now the Pharisees etc want to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus. Sometimes i wonder if they were wantingt to get rid of jesus more from their fear of himthan any other reason? They had to know that he had preformed many miracles how did they think he was able to do that if he wasn't the Son of God?
ReplyDeleteI think you are right- the Pharisees and Sadducees don't want to lose power and control so they fear Jesus' gain in popularity. A jealousy type thing- but we are all like that!
DeleteThey did see the miracles- but that was why Jesus was gaining in popularity- they didn't see the divine side!
Thanks Clara
Isn’t it crazy that the Jews would want to kill Lazarus because on his account many Jews were believing that Jesus was who he said he was?
ReplyDeleteMy Bible says that the Pharisees were upset as well saying “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him.”
Jesus says “Father, glorify your name! Then a voice came from heaven “I have glorified it , and will glorify it again.” Some thought that it had thundered - others said an angel had spoken. Wow
I love that all through this book John talks about the light (Jesus), and the darkness. Such great imagery. “You are going to have the light for just a little while longer.”
This isn’t the first time that people have refused to confess their faith because if being kicked out of the synagogue. That must have been a scary thing for them.
I think that since Rabbi Barbara is a woman, which is progressive, that she would probably be open to our questions. I’m all for talking with her.
Exactly, the Pharisees and Sadducees were losing popularity and going nowhere!
DeleteJohn's book is full of light imagery. Light equals divine.
"Back in the day" synagogue (and church for us) was a big part of life. So, rather than risk excommunication, there was no affirmation of Jesus.
Thanks Cathy
In reading your comments, Pastor, I am not exactly sure where Judas comments on the cost of his funeral? Are you saying because Judas knew the cost of the spikenard that Judas is speaking about the cost of a funeral? But it was also used as a perfume placed on the head of dining guests, yes? But Jesus is saying the spikenard would be used for him? I am thinking that since Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, he probably stopped in to see them each time that He was around, Maybe? and maybe for dinner? Is the voice they heard God? In my translation it says the people think its an angel, but in my translation Jesus never actually says it's God??? Jesus has said in some of the previous chapters that He was not there to judge, then says He IS there to judge and now He has gone back to saying He is not there to judge (vs. 47) - I am a bit confused. Is Jesus saying He is not judging but the "one that sent Him" is???? I actually loved vs. 49 and 50.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I love John. I am glad he goes into some detail about the last week of Jesus. I believe that knowing Jesus' life and teachings is VERY important - however, since it is told to us in the synoptic gospels, I think it is also important to know more about Jesus' last life - as in John's Gospel.
Clara, how are you doing? I hope your eyes are good????
I would be VERY interested in meeting with a Rabbi!
Yes, the comment re: the cost of the spikenard and Jesus' pseudo-reference to his burial. I know, it is a stretch, but just throwing it out there! It was used as a perfume- but just a dab- like perfumes today. Not a whole bottle of it!
DeleteThe assumption we make is that it is God. Jesus prays to God saying "Father glorify your name" (v 28) then the voice. The same voice in the baptismal stories?
John is very interesting and it sis good to dissect what he says and compare stories!
Thanks Donna
One of the highlights of this chapter is the washing of Jesus’s feet by Mary, using the expensive perfume. Mary uses her hair to wash Jesus’s feet, and this causes a stir due to Jewish custom of a woman not letting her hair down in public. I contend that this wasn’t in public since this was a dinner at Maty and Simon the Leper’s home.
ReplyDeleteJudas Iscariot complains about using this expensive perfume because it costs more than a year’s salary. This is the first time that Judas is mentioned in any of the gospels. That he is described as a thief is an indication that he would have no qualms at all about betraying Jesus, although no mention of the upcoming betrayal is mentioned here.
Jesus’s reply to Judas is an indication the Jesus knows the end is near. He contends that the poor will always be present, but He will not be. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus knows when and how he will die. He also knows that He will be resurrected after 3 days and will ascend into Heaven to sit at the Right hand of God. None of the rest know that, however.
John writes in his gospel that Jesus found a young donkey, whereas the synoptic gospels write that Jesus sent a couple of disciples ahead to where he knew was a donkey and the owner was okay with Him borrowing it for His triumphant ride into Jerusalem.
Another highlight is the fact the Jesus knows He is going to die. He tells them the parable of the seed falling to the ground. The Jewish leaders are torn. Some want to believe in Jesus, but others cannot for fear that they would be thrown out of the synagogue.
Speaking with a rabbi would be very interesting, but unless you could set it up as a Zoom meeting or some other online thing, I would not be able to attend.
It is 11:12 PM here in the Wild West
ReplyDeleteGood point about Mary's hair- but they weren't allowed to let their hair down for anyone other than their husband!
ReplyDeleteJudas is portrayed as a bad person- I wonder what he was really like?
Jesus has tried to give the people some "advance warning" of his impending death, but they either aren't hearing or aren't listening!
Good catch Jack- there is no going to Jerusalem to get the donkey here in John!
Thanks Jack!