Week Eight - Day 7
Today's Reading
Gospel according to John 18:16b to 21:25
Today we come to the end of our 8-Week New Testament Journey. What began on Sunday, July 14, 2013, with the Gospel according to Matthew, now comes to an end with the conclusion of the Gospel according to John. Along the way we also read through Luke, the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul's letters to the churches. The story of Jesus and the spread of the Gospel told in the New Testament covered a period of about 30 years.
We now come back around to finish up with John, who was writing perhaps 30 more years after that. By that time much has happened within Judaism and much has happened to the Christian community. The division between the two was complete, and John's gospel reflects that division and hostility. But John also provides an account that shows Jesus as completely in command. His purpose is set, and he is willing to accept role in the salvation drama that is unfolding according to the Father's plan. The plan will, however, rely upon the faith and witness of Jesus' disciples, the ones who now know the Father because they have come to know Jesus as his Son.
And John wastes no time in having the disciples equipped for mission. Unlike the Acts of the Apostles, which does not portray the giving of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) until fifty days after the Resurrection, John has Jesus personally "breathing" the Holy Spirit upon them on the evening of the same day he arose from the tomb (20:19-22). They are to offer the forgiven of sins, to continue to dwell in the love of Christ, and to care for those whom Jesus "my sheep". To tend and feed God's sheep is the sacred mission of all who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. How are we to do this? In all the ways that we respond to the needs of others, respect their dignity as children of God, and seek to be reconciled with God and one another.
So, there it is; the end of the journey. Of course, it is truly only the beginning . . .
We now come back around to finish up with John, who was writing perhaps 30 more years after that. By that time much has happened within Judaism and much has happened to the Christian community. The division between the two was complete, and John's gospel reflects that division and hostility. But John also provides an account that shows Jesus as completely in command. His purpose is set, and he is willing to accept role in the salvation drama that is unfolding according to the Father's plan. The plan will, however, rely upon the faith and witness of Jesus' disciples, the ones who now know the Father because they have come to know Jesus as his Son.
And John wastes no time in having the disciples equipped for mission. Unlike the Acts of the Apostles, which does not portray the giving of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) until fifty days after the Resurrection, John has Jesus personally "breathing" the Holy Spirit upon them on the evening of the same day he arose from the tomb (20:19-22). They are to offer the forgiven of sins, to continue to dwell in the love of Christ, and to care for those whom Jesus "my sheep". To tend and feed God's sheep is the sacred mission of all who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. How are we to do this? In all the ways that we respond to the needs of others, respect their dignity as children of God, and seek to be reconciled with God and one another.
So, there it is; the end of the journey. Of course, it is truly only the beginning . . .
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