I've started re-reading the Gospel of John. Nellie and I have been having long discussions about its content and our (my) struggles understanding some parts of it. I will post here my thoughts on each chapter and I do it only for myself and you're welcome to read what I share.
Like the title says, this is considered to be the most spiritual of the four gospels. It is not one of the Synoptic Gospels because it does not follow the same basic timeline of the three, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Some actually call it the Spiritual Gospel. Some call it that because it breaks the original one-volume Luke-Acts work into two different books. Those who came before me and who knew much more than I ever hope to know, decided that because John's gospel speaks more of the Holy Spirit that it would be best for a volume on the Holy Spirit to come between Luke's foretelling of the coming and then Acts' recording of the actual arrival of same. I'll try to share that in my daily postings.
I started last night in a Days Inn Motel room in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. It's one of the smallest US motel/hotel rooms that I have ever seen. It was about the same size as a Days Inn hotel in London, England. It had a bed. We were tired. We slept. It had a shower and toilet in it so that fit the bill. But it was tiny.
Chapter One: Creation Revisited.
The gospel shares a viewpoint not found elsewhere about Creation. John's gospel affirms that Jesus is the Word. In Spanish, the word is literally "Verb." An active, working, involved Presence in the act of creation. Jesus is given credit for being a part of the making of all things. And because of that, John says that in Jesus we find life and that life is light for all people. You'll notice in this gospel that several images of Jesus will be presented; the first is Word, second is Life, and third is Light. John knows there is darkness and that darkness is powerless against light. Light always wins. Even the darkest cave in the deepest part of the earth is no match for a match. Get it? John affirms that darkness will never overcome light. Amen.
John then introduces a namesake, John. This first reference in verse 6 is to the John we know as John the Baptist. John is seen as a witness who would and did testify positively about light, with the hope that all would believe in Jesus. John is clear to share that John is not himself light, he's only a witness. John is aware that the world, in whatever way you may choose to define it, does not know nor recognize Jesus. But the ones who did received the right to become children of God. Children born of God.
Jesus became flesh and lived among us, John says. In Jesus we have seen glory and this glory is the reflection of the Son who came from the Father and He came full of grace and truth. This grace was so awesome that it replaced the grace God had already shared with the world. The giving of the law by Moses was an act of grace, but through Jesus we have received grace and also truth. John will state several times that in Jesus we find truth. When John the Baptist was asked by the religious of his day who he was, John was quick to say he was not the Messiah, the expected one from God. He denied being any of the prophets but quoting scripture says that he is the one whose voice cried in the wilderness as the Prophet isaiah declared. John also is questioned about his act of baptizing those believed to be born clean. Baptism was known as a cleansing act used to symbolically welcome non-Jews into the faith. But John the Baptist knew the need in the hearts of those who knew sin and alienation from God; they needed to be washed clean in a symbolic way of that sin, knowing that within, in the spiritual realm they were being washed by God's love.
John is baptizing at Bethany near the Jordan River. On one of those days, Jesus makes an appearance and John announces him as the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" John also affirms that standing next to Jesus, he does not measure up. Jesus is the One. John declares that at Jesus' baptism, an act much debated as to its necessity, the Spirit came down from heaven like a dove and as the baptism is being celebrated a voice from God tells John that Jesus is to be the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John's testimony continues that Jesus is the chosen one of God, and even loses two of his own disciples to Jesus. They responded to John's second declaration, "Look, the Lamb of God!" That was all they needed to hear and they decide to follow Jesus.
Jesus asks the two what they're looking for. and the address Jesus as rabbi and ask, "Where are you staying?" Jesus replies that they should come and see. They spend the day with Jesus and Andrew, one of the two goes to find his brother, Peter to tell him about the discovery of this Lamb of God. His direct declaration is that they had found the Messiah, the Christ. And Andrew brings him to Jesus. Jesus in this first encounter with Peter calls him "Cephas," which is Peter (Petra, rock). Jesus then calls Philip with a simple, "Follow me" invitation. Philip in turn goes and finds Nathanael and also tells him his faith in this Christ.
The encounter between Jesus and this new disciple has powerful impact on Nathanael who in turn calls Jesus not only Rabbi but also Son of God, and King of Israel. Jesus promises him that he would see great things including the opening of heaven and visions of angels ascending and descending on 'the Son of Man.'
Powerful is the one word that comes to my mind and heart about this very short chapter in this short Gospel. But it's Good News. It's news that can save our lives and our very souls.
