Book of Faith - John 1:19-34 - The Testimony of John

In verse 19 of the first chapter, John begins to tell the story of Jesus.  He begins with the testimony of John the Baptist.  What's striking is that the gospel writer does not tell us anything about the ministry of John the Baptist, but only his witness.  Everything points to Jesus.  The assumption is made that you already know the story of John the Baptist.  The religious authorities come and challenge John.  After all, John is a priest like his father.  In fact, that is how you became a priest.  Priesthood  was hereditary.  The authorities had some concerns about John.  He represented all priests.  There was talk in the community about whether he was the Messiah.  John's declaration that he was neither the Messiah, Elijah, or the prophet addresses their concern, but also addresses the questions being raised at the time the gospel was being written.  There were many who continued to follow John after the arrival of Jesus.  There were those who followed John even after the resurrection.  The gospel writer wanted to put to rest any and all questions surrounding John's being the promised one.  The gospel writer has John himself declare that he is not the Messiah.

Of course, the other concern of the religious authorities was John baptizing people.  Yes, people were baptized in those days, but they were baptized in order to become Jews.  Jews were not baptized because they were already the people of God.  John's baptism was different.  He was saying that his own people needed to be baptized because of their sin.  They needed to be washed clean.  They needed to repent.  The truth is that we resist the call to repentance, particularly when we think there is nothing wrong.  However, John's message must have resonated with people, even it that message was difficult to hear.  We have all experienced that uncomfortable word of truth in our lives.  Someone challenges us about our actions or choices.  Our first reaction is to defend ourselves, dismiss the individual making the challenge, and even grow angry with them.  However, as those challenging words settle with us, we may come to realize the truth they hold and open ourselves to change.  We may come to not only accept the challenge but come to be grateful to the one who spoke the truth in the beginning.  John spoke the truth.   People needed to repent and, if they were honest, they would own that truth.  Jesus would continue that theme.  He would call people to repentance.  Their lives were broken and Jesus came to lead them to a better way, a better life.  He spoke the truth in order to safe.  That is the movement of the God's grace.  

Once again, we have just begun our journey in John.  Join us in the coming weeks either at the Book of Faith class on Wednesday at noon at the CEB or by following the blog.  Make the Book of Faith a part of your road to discipleship.

Peace,
Pastor Summer

Book of Faith - John 1:1-18 - In the Beginning

We have begun our journey through the gospel of John.  John tells the story of Jesus in a very different way from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  John does include the temptation of Jesus, the Transfiguration, the Lord's supper, Jesus casting out demons, the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord's Prayer, or any narrative parables.  However, John is the only gospel where we find Jesus visiting Jerusalem prior to the Passion, the early Galilean ministry, the Farewell Discourse, the story of Nicodemus, and the raising of Lazarus.  John is more reflective is telling the story.  The emphasis is not the "Kingdom of God" but "eternal life".  John also saw us participating in that "eternal life" in the here and now.  These are just some of the differences.  We hope to discover more as we spend time with John.

The opening 18 verses of John are well known and well loved.  One member in the group appreciated how John was able to capture the entirety of the gospel in 18 verses.  These 18 verses serve as a prelude to the telling of the story.  The use of the Word (Logos) was intentional to speak to a Greek audience.  Greeks would have understood Logos as being the instrument of the Divine used to make creation happen since the Divine is perfect (Plato) and the material world is imperfect.  The Divine needed an instrument.  John identifies that creative instrument as Jesus, who not only was there at the beginning of creation, but took on flesh and came into the world so that we might know the heart of God.  John provides an amazing witness that bridges the gap between the Greek and Christian world.  The group was taken by the lengths God will go for the sake of us and this world.  The group compared the grace of God to a GPS that is always making corrections to bring us home.  

The group also spent time talking about enlightenment.  Jesus, the light of the world, comes so that we might be enlightened.  Enlightenment was understood as finally getting something.  My son passed algebra in middle school and could have moved on in high school.  He chose to take algebra again.  What he said is the he could pass the test, but he really didn't get algebra.  In high school, he took algebra again and the light came on.  He got it and it made all the difference in the world.  Enlightenment is when the light goes on and we get this faith business.  Jesus comes so that we might come to truly know grace.  

As I said, we are just beginning the gospel of John.  Join us on Wednesday at noon or follow along on the blog.  Either way, make the Book of Faith a part of your faith journey.

Peace,
Pastor Summer