I have been reading and thinking about the Gospel according John quite a bit recently (inspired by Professor Ford's fantastic commentary).
This week I am struck by chapter 12. It feels like reading an alternative 'take' on Holy Week that challenges any nice scheme we might have for what happens each day between Jesus arriving in Jerusalem and gathering his friends for a meal for one final time before the crucifixion.
So in John we have this sequence:
The anointing at Bethany - by Mary not by a 'woman' we are meant to remember but who is nameless
The entry into Jerusalem with palms and hints of the prophets Zechariah and Zephaniah
A soliloquy on Jesus death (and resurrection) prompted by the seemingly innocent request to "see Jesus"
A voice from heaven
Wrestling by the author on belief and unbelief with Isaiah 53 hovering in the background
Jesus reminding whoever will listen that this all points back to God
That seems more than enough to think about. You might like to try finding a moment today to read the whole chapter.
No comments:
Post a Comment