This week we turn to the gospel of John, while still listening to the questions asked of Jesus and the answers he gave. This gospel was probably written later than the other three so we might expect to find the stories more stylized and the questions of Jesus more pointed. As time passes our experiences color our memories. As the community of followers of Jesus after his death became more defined their needs of the Master sharpened. The truth of his Messiahship, his Sonship of God, was necessary for their continued struggle to proclaim the good news. As time passed and Jesus did not return, the organization of the community and the development of a theology of Christ, became more important. So the questions remembered, the questions asked of Jesus, change. John’s gospel does not differ totally from the other three; there are still seekers, skeptics, and those who know Jesus as the Messiah. They still ask who is Jesus, but the stories are more involved and the responses more nuanced. This time the questions perhaps are closer to the questions asked through the ages.
John begins his gospel with a very reasoned and mystical experience of Christ. And he says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus who walked the hills of Galilee and journeyed to the temple in Jerusalem had a past of infinite portent.
Spend some time with John’s prologue (chapter 1: 1-18) to absorb a sense of who is the Jesus this writer wishes you to know.
Many helpful doctrinal statements about the Christ who walked the countryside as Jesus of Nazareth exist. There is also a lot of variety in these understandings. If however we are to feel free to ask Jesus our questions and be able to hear his response we need also to experience him as the human he was and as he is now.
How do you “see” Jesus? How do you relate? How does your Christology (doctrine of who Jesus Christ is) inform your meeting?
Jesus, you who were and are and will always be, help us to find a way to relate. Remind us of your humanity. Remind us of your relationship with the Father. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
John begins his gospel with a very reasoned and mystical experience of Christ. And he says “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus who walked the hills of Galilee and journeyed to the temple in Jerusalem had a past of infinite portent.
Spend some time with John’s prologue (chapter 1: 1-18) to absorb a sense of who is the Jesus this writer wishes you to know.
Many helpful doctrinal statements about the Christ who walked the countryside as Jesus of Nazareth exist. There is also a lot of variety in these understandings. If however we are to feel free to ask Jesus our questions and be able to hear his response we need also to experience him as the human he was and as he is now.
How do you “see” Jesus? How do you relate? How does your Christology (doctrine of who Jesus Christ is) inform your meeting?
Jesus, you who were and are and will always be, help us to find a way to relate. Remind us of your humanity. Remind us of your relationship with the Father. Amen.
Blessings, Caroline
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated and will appear after they are approved.