Sorry again for the delay! No excuse!
As much as John focuses on the deity and divinity of Jesus throughout his gospel, to me this section highlights some of Jesus’ most poignantly human moments (as do some of the other gospels). It breaks my heart to imagine him saying “Do you also want to go away?” to the twelve when so many of his other disciples had abandoned him (6:67) or to see the intensely frustrating conversation between Jesus and those who sought him only to be fed with bread that perishes, and not with the Bread of Life (6:25-57). It’s hard to know how he must have felt when he observed that not even his own brothers believed in him (7:5) or that his own people dishonored him by claiming he was possessed (8:48-59). And how deeply must he have been touched by the grief of Lazarus’ death to weep at his tomb (11:35). Truly a man of sorrows, even before his brutal death.
One of my favorite scenes from this section takes place in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus the woman caught in adultery (8:3-11). This event is so visceral and turbulent to me. I imagine the apalled and agog crowd parting as the Pharisees dragged this probably half-naked, sobbing woman into their midst. Jesus’ calm amid such an uprorious scene stands out to me. And one of the most intriguing moments is when he stoops to write on the ground. I can’t help but wonder what he might have written. Perhaps he listed sins that some accusers had committed? Whatever it was, Jesus’ silence twice threw into stark contrast the blaring noise of the crowd. Standing only for a moment to say “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first,” and stooping again to write in the dirt... not looking up again until all of the accusers had gone. So bold and brilliant and perfect in patience! I suppose I’m basically reiterating the text, but the whole interaction is so fascinating to me!
This whole gospel is so rich in theology, and i didn't really touch on that in this entry, so that might be something to discuss further--
2 comments:
I just read this responsorial psalm and I thought that it would go well with your comments on Christ being a "man of sorrows." Good post, Steph!
Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
For your sake I bear insult,
and shame covers my face.
I have become an outcast to my brothers,
a stranger to my mother’s sons,
because zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Insult has broken my heart, and I am weak,
I looked for sympathy, but there was none;
for consolers, not one could I find.
Rather they put gall in my food,
and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving:
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Very touching insights. These human moments bring the gospels to life for me, because they remind me of the message of the Incarnation: he was just like us. You depicted this passage very well.
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