Category Archives: John’s Gospel

Biblical Reflection, John's Gospel, Meditation

I Am, I Am Not

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This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ “ as the prophet Isaiah said. John 1:19-23, NRSVue

…tell us something – anything!- about yourself.” [John said] “I’m thunder in the desert: ‘Make the road straight for God!’ I”m doing what the prophet Isaiah preached.” John 1:23, The Message

John didn’t need to pretend to be what he was not – a Messiah or a prophet returned to life. It seems that being himself was enough, more than enough for John to say what he was put on the earth to say.

I am a voice crying out, thunder in the desert. Make the road straight for God!

All of us have a voice. All of us are a voice. The question is: do we know ourselves well enough, who we are and who we are not, to say what we were put on this earth to say?

Biblical Reflection, John's Gospel

Making Room

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In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… (NRSVUE)

There is plenty of room for you in my Father’s home…(The Message)

In my Father’s house are many mansions…(King James)

The Greek word is monay – it can be translated as abodes, dwellings, staying places, places to abide. This comes right after Jesus tells the disciples that he is only with them for a short time, and that they will not be able to come where he is going. He’s talking about death on the cross, then returning to the embrace of God.

We all know what happened soon after this. Judas betrays with a kiss, Peter denies, the disciples scatter. They cannot go into death with Jesus. But, for the moment, they remain unaware; the thought of Jesus leaving without them is painful.

It probably made little sense to the disciples beforehand, this assurance Jesus gives them that he is going ahead of them, going to prepare a place for them, making room for them to dwell always in the embrace of God. When they were facing death themselves, it was a promise they could hold onto in the darkness of leaving life behind:

Someone who loves them is making room. They are expected. They will be welcomed into eternal relationship.

Just as wonderful: there’s room for others as well…

Row Houses by Colin Fredrickson
The houses are made of cardboard, wrapped in scripture, then painted.
Biblical Reflection, John's Gospel

Light

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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was at the side of God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and not one thing came into being without him. In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (my translation)

It’s not the best shot in the world, and it certainly doesn’t match what the sky looked like the when I took this picture. But light in Vermont is different from light on the Massachusetts seacoast – stunning in a different way.

Light before Dawn

This light is over the same Green Mountain, the shot taken from the same back porch during the same season. How can light in the same place, illuminating the same terrain, seen from the same spot, be so very different?

Jesus the Word as a light in the darkness, as the light of the world, is an image at the very beginning of John’s gospel. I wonder if the illumination the Word reveals differs, depending on the vantage point and the time of life of the one who is blessed to behold him?

I wonder what the Light of the World looks like to you.

Biblical Reflection, John's Gospel

Picturing John

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Painting a Picture with his Words

Kelly O’Connell preached the sermon today at Christ Church in Plymouth. She centered it on Jesus’ words: I am the gate. And she mentioned in passing the many images that can be found in the Gospel of John. That got me thinking – perhaps it’s time to look at some of them. I am the way, I am the good shepherd, I am the truth, and so many more. I hope you take a look with me…

This begins the series Picturing John. For more information, click Picturing John above.