We are approaching Holy Week, when Christians remember Jesus being betrayed, arrested without cause, abandoned, tortured, condemned to death without fair trial and then murdered. There is a sense of irresistible, looming darkness in the Gospel chapters. What do Jesus’ responses to this situation teach us?
Photo by Tobias Tullius on Unsplash
The section of scripture recommended for today is from the gospel according to John, Chapter 8 and verses 21 to 30. The drama and tension is perhaps captured best by reading the surrounding verses as well, if you have chance.
In this part of his life story, it feels as if Jesus is repeatedly dancing with death: defying those in power who hate him, managing to elude harm while edging ever closer to it. We know the end of the story and so we are afraid for him: and yet in his confidence and passion he seems indestructible. Rather like a beautiful animal that faces extinction but never loses its powerful essence.
As ever, the crowds who listened to Jesus in these verses did not ‘get’ much of what he said. Neither, perhaps, do we. Those ancient listeners asked: ‘Who are you?’ Today’s readers may do the same - these are difficult speeches to follow! Perhaps ‘Who are you?’ remains a good question to ask Jesus, whether we claim the Christian faith as our own or not.
Do you find this excerpt and the surrounding verses from John’s Gospel difficult? If so, spend some time with that feeling. Don’t think too much about what in it is difficult to understand but rather notice what it feels like to be a bit confused.
~
Confusion is not always a bad thing but it can be scary. Comfort may be found in tackling the confusion with learning: 2000 years of scholarly interpretation of these passages is available, as well as lived experience of faithful people that help us relate to tricky biblical texts.
And / or, we can ‘sit with’ our feelings of confusion. Notice it and notice also the parts of the story that are helpful or comforting and contemplate these. You may find comfort here in:
“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
Jesus was able to feel accompanied, almost all the time. Even when threatened and misunderstood. He did not need approval because he had a sense of being unconditionally loved in his relationship with a heavenly father always pleased with him.
Is that comforting to you? What else about this passage, or Jesus’ story, is comforting? It might be a single word or remembered scene. Spend some time thinking about that.
~
Later, Jesus invites his friends to ‘Follow Me’. What might this mean, for you? You may want to spend some time with the image of the leopard, above, as you think about it.