Day 29: John 19-21. Crucifixion and Resurrection
Chapter 19 should be the last chapter. But it isn't. Death should be the end of the story of Jesus. But it isn't.
When Jesus is crucified, John records three different words from the cross: "Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother." (to his mother and the beloved disciple). Then, "I Thirst." And finally, 'It is finished." What do you suppose these three words mean? What is the significance? Do these words remind of of other words of Jesus?
One of the mysteries of the gospel of John is: Who is the beloved disciple? Most people believe that the beloved disciple is John himself. A few have thought it might be Lazarus, his friend. There are some who even think it might have been Judas. What do you think?
After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea provides a tomb for Jesus' body. And the stone is rolled in front of the tomb, and that should be the end of it.
But it isn't. For Mary Magdalene first to the tomb, and first to find it empty. For Peter and the Beloved Disciple, whoever that may be). For the other disciples, afraid and behind locked doors. For Thomas (a week later). for Mary, it's the sound of her name that convinces her that Jesus is not the gardener, but her friend and her Lord. For the disciples, it is the sight of his nail-scarred hands and his words, "Peace be with you." For Thomas, it is Jesus' invitation to touch him and find out for himself.
What is it for you?
At the end of Chapter 20 John hopes we who have not seen have come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and that we too have life, and that this chapter is not the last chapter for us, either.
But then, curiously, there is this other chapter, chapter 21. Chapter 20 seems like it ought to be the end, especially with that wonderful summary of the purpose of the Gospel at the end. But then there is chapter 21, which begins with some of the disciples together -- doing what? We don't know. It seems like they were just hanging out when Peter says "I am going fishing." And Jesus appears to them, and he gives Peter the commission to "feed my sheep", and he says words that seem like a prophecy of Peter's eventual martyrdom.
And then, again John ends the gospel for the second time, by telling the reads that his 21 chapters are only a fraction of the stories that coulee be told about Jesus. There are so many stories about Jesus that all of the books in the world can not contain them.
And the story will never end.
When Jesus is crucified, John records three different words from the cross: "Woman, here is your son. Here is your mother." (to his mother and the beloved disciple). Then, "I Thirst." And finally, 'It is finished." What do you suppose these three words mean? What is the significance? Do these words remind of of other words of Jesus?
One of the mysteries of the gospel of John is: Who is the beloved disciple? Most people believe that the beloved disciple is John himself. A few have thought it might be Lazarus, his friend. There are some who even think it might have been Judas. What do you think?
After Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea provides a tomb for Jesus' body. And the stone is rolled in front of the tomb, and that should be the end of it.
But it isn't. For Mary Magdalene first to the tomb, and first to find it empty. For Peter and the Beloved Disciple, whoever that may be). For the other disciples, afraid and behind locked doors. For Thomas (a week later). for Mary, it's the sound of her name that convinces her that Jesus is not the gardener, but her friend and her Lord. For the disciples, it is the sight of his nail-scarred hands and his words, "Peace be with you." For Thomas, it is Jesus' invitation to touch him and find out for himself.
What is it for you?
At the end of Chapter 20 John hopes we who have not seen have come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, and that we too have life, and that this chapter is not the last chapter for us, either.
But then, curiously, there is this other chapter, chapter 21. Chapter 20 seems like it ought to be the end, especially with that wonderful summary of the purpose of the Gospel at the end. But then there is chapter 21, which begins with some of the disciples together -- doing what? We don't know. It seems like they were just hanging out when Peter says "I am going fishing." And Jesus appears to them, and he gives Peter the commission to "feed my sheep", and he says words that seem like a prophecy of Peter's eventual martyrdom.
And then, again John ends the gospel for the second time, by telling the reads that his 21 chapters are only a fraction of the stories that coulee be told about Jesus. There are so many stories about Jesus that all of the books in the world can not contain them.
And the story will never end.
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