The teachings of Philip G. Roets & Lois Roets
Good News: Real Love Is Service c. 125 A.D.
Commentary by Philip G. Roets STL, SSL
Jesus Teaches How to Live Together
As in all the gospel stories, this is the central section of the life of Jesus. This was the part first recalled and retold. The account in John's Gospel is the most solemn and most complete. Some of the most outstanding teachings of Jesus are found only in this section.
"IF YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS, YOU MUST TELL US." John 11:55-57. We have arrived at the last Passover in the life of Jesus. If we had only the first three Gospel accounts, we might figure that the whole public life of Jesus lasted for less than a year. From the arrangement of John's Gospel stories, we could allow for two or three years. But again, I emphasize, Semitic history is not in detailed chronology as is western history. The theme or purpose of the events is by far more important.
The Passover of the Jewish year was at hand. Many people from around Palestine were in Jerusalem for the feast. These people were standing around in clusters and their one question seems to have been: Will Jesus come to the feast or not? The leaders of the Jews had put out an order that anyone who knew the whereabouts of Jesus had to reveal it or suffer the consequences. They definitely wanted to arrest him.
BETHANY: MARY ANOINTS. JUDAS COMPLAINS. John 12:1-11. Six days before the Passover, Jesus was in Bethany at a dinner arranged by Martha. Lazarus was there as one of the guests and Mary came in with an expensive jar of ointment. She anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair.
This anointing of the feet of Jesus may seem unusual to us. Actually, it was a part of the ritual of welcoming guests at that time. When an invited guest came to the house, he/she was met at the door by the host and a servant. The first act was for the servant to remove the guest's sandals and wash the dust of travel off the feet. Then the feet of the guest were anointed with perfumed oil. The servant who was doing this task was considered the lowest in the household and was probably in that spot as a punishment.
In this story, Mary was performing the usual chore. The difference was that it was Mary and not a servant doing the task. She waited until Jesus was reclining at table. She used very expensive perfumed oil.
Now the actual scenario began. Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, stood up and objected to this waste of expensive ointment. He said that the ointment could have been sold for 300 denarii. That was truly a costly nard since an annual wage was 200 denarii. Judas made his objection sound good. He said they could have sold the ointment and given the money to the poor. John, also one of the twelve, said Judas was the treasurer of the group and was in the habit of dipping his own hand into the till regularly. Hence he would have liked that 300 note in the "common kitty," the group accounts.
JUDAS CONFESSES CRIME BUT TO WRONG PRIEST. Judas should not be depicted as some kind of terrible criminal whose ways were all bad. Jesus chose him as a young man out of all his followers, to be one of the special twelve. Judas certainly did not expect his failure to be the cause of the death of Jesus.
Jesus spoke up, "Leave her alone. She was but preparing my body for the burial. The poor are always with you but I will not always be here." John added that a large number of the people present came not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Meanwhile, the leaders decided to kill Lazarus as well as Jesus because Lazarus was drawing more followers to Jesus.
Judas left the supper table and went to sell Jesus to his enemies. When Judas saw Jesus bound over he was suddenly aware of the magnitude of his crime. So many times before, Jesus had broken away from his enemies and gone off alone. Judas expected him to do the same now. But Jesus submitted to the condemnation.
Now Judas knew what was going to happen. He saw that Jesus was bound over and he knew that Pilate would definitely kill another Jew. Judas was overcome with sorrow. John said no more about Judas but I will insert what we know from the other gospels. (cf. Mt. 27:3-10)
Judas took the 30 shekels back to the priests and elders. He made a perfect confession: "I have sinned by the betrayal of innocent blood." But Judas made his confession to the wrong priest. Jesus could have forgiven. Their answer came back instantly, "What's that to us? That's your problem!" Judas flung the coins on the temple floor and went out and hanged himself.
When Judas saw the magnitude of his mistake and admitted it completely to himself, he was well on the road to perfect recovery. He had only to go to Jesus, the person whom he had offended, express the sorrow he felt for what he had done, and forgiveness and a new opportunity would have been his. He saw his failure. He admitted his guilt. He confessed his sin and failure but he went to the wrong priest.
Was Judas ever forgiven? I think he clearly was as we read in the gospel according to Luke. The first words of Jesus on the cross were, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" I think Judas was included in this request of Jesus.
YOUR KING IS COMING. John 12:12-19. The next day, the crowds heard that Jesus was on his way. So they took palm branches and went out to meet him and sang their jubilant Hosannas. Jesus mounted a young donkey, and the parade came into the city with everyone singing and dancing in a real triumph. John reminded us that Lazarus, risen from the dead, gave lots of support to this picture. The leaders, of course, were just furious and totally frustrated. More people than ever were going after Jesus.
JESUS TO DIE LIKE GRAIN OF WHEAT. John 12:20-36. Jesus took one of his most extended parables and applied it to himself. Some Greek converts to Judaism were on hand. They wanted to meet Jesus. Andrew and Philip told Jesus about the request.
Jesus saw this as the catalyst that set in motion the last phase of his work. He saw himself as the grain of wheat about to be planted in the earth. The grain would sprout and grow a rich harvest, the new people of God.
Then Jesus revealed the agony in his soul. He realized the great good he could accomplish by his death, according to the plan of the Father. However he also saw all the suffering and rejection this was going to entail. He was torn between begging the Father to remove the ordeal and saying a fervent "Thy will be done."
Then Jesus was filled with courage. He proclaimed his willingness to be the victim to win the salvation of the world. He would be lifted up on the cross and all eyes would be turned toward him in faith and salvation.
"IF YOU LOVE, THEN SERVE." John 13:1-38. The first truth is CHRISTIAN LOVE or love that expresses the same love that Jesus had for all his followers. It is called a love "eis telos." This Greek phrase means "to perfection" or "to completion." John said that Jesus had loved his followers all along but now, as he was about to die, he showed this love in all its perfection.
The first evidence of this love was the washing of the feet of the apostles. As mentioned previously, the lowest servant in the household regularly performed this task of washing the feet of the guests. It was a demeaning task in the eyes of society at that time. Jesus washed and dried their feet. When he came to Peter, as usual, Peter had to create a disturbance. He was not going to allow Jesus to wash his feet because it was such a demeaning task. Jesus assured him that if he did not wash his feet, Peter would not eat there that night. Peter went to the opposite extreme - as usual. He exclaimed, "Not only my feet! My face, my hands, give me a bath!" Jesus said that this was not necessary. You were clean. You just needed the dust of travel washed from your feet.
There was more to this remark than met the eye, according to John. Jesus was aware that Judas was about to sell him and so he said, "You are not all clean!"
When Jesus was finished, he reclined at table again. He said, "You have seen what I have just done. Let this be an example to you. You do the same thing to each other and for the same reason. You are at the service of each other."
Then Jesus was overcome by a wave of sadness and worry. He said openly that one of them was about to betray him - sell him out. The apostles looked at each other in dismay and wondered who it could be. They probably figured the betrayal would be through some mistake.
Peter looked at John who was next to Jesus. He signaled to John to find out who the betrayer would be. Jesus gave a public answer: "It is the one to whom I will give the piece of bread I have dipped into the wine."
This was really no answer. In reality, Jesus was referring to a Passover custom. To denote their friendship and community, the Jews always dipped a piece of bread into a common cup and shared it together. The one presiding over the meal would pass the cup around. So, all that Jesus said was that one of those who professed to be a close friend was going to sell him out.
When Judas had dipped his bread into the cup, John said, "Satan entered into him." "Satan" is the Hebrew word for the "Adversary" and is a term used to say that someone is hardened in his sin or failure. John said it was at that moment Judas made his unbending decision to go through with his treachery.
Jesus said, "What you intend to do, do quickly!" This looked like an open declaration of the guilt of Judas. However, Judas was the treasurer of the group and there were often last minute purchases that had to be made or an alms had to be given to the poor, or some such detail. The apostles could easily have understood the words of Jesus to mean, "Take care of whatever business is needed for the Passover Supper."
Judas left right after he ate the bread. As soon as Judas left, the mood of Jesus lightened. He knew the others were loyal even though they might make mistakes. Then Jesus told them the secret of their love for each other. It was to be a sharing that everybody who saw them would know immediately that they were his loyal followers, his disciples.
Peter, of course, had to have a word. He wanted to know exactly where Jesus was going and why they could not go along. He insisted that he was ready to lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus looked at him and must have smiled at the irony of the picture. He said, "Before the first sign of dawn, before cockcrow, you will deny me three times."
Peter was forewarned about his failure. He was told he would fail three times. Yet, as the events unfold, Peter did exactly what was said.
BE CONVINCED; LIVE BY YOUR CONVICTIONS. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL PERMEATE THE GROUP. PEACE WILL BE YOURS. John 14. In order to establish the dynamic love that Jesus was describing, his followers were going to need rock-bottom convictions. There could be no wavering back and forth.
Now Jesus said he was going first in order to prepare rooms for them in his Father's house. Thomas raised a natural difficulty. They did not even know where Jesus was going, how could they know the way. Jesus said solemnly: "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE." Then Jesus claimed his relationship with the Father - the perfect son. Philip chimed in, "Just show us the Father and we shall be satisfied."
Jesus then spoke of his unity with the Father. This was of great importance. Jesus and the Father were one because he always said what the Father wanted said, and he did what the Father wanted done. Jesus and the Father were one because Jesus was always OBEDIENT.
Jesus said "I am going to the Father, and I will ask him to send you another Advocate to be with you forever." This special advocate was the Spirit that would bind this community of Jesus together. This Spirit was a spirit of love, peace and obedience - modeled on the example of Jesus.
"VINESTOCK - BRANCHES - FRUIT - ENEMIES." John 15. Live as members of one family, the courage of their convictions: these are the truths that lead into the third aspect of this new reality. There was to be a unity in community, a oneness in sharing, that all would be able to see and would lead all people to want to share.
To express these ideas, Jesus used the vinestock and the branches. Jesus is the vinestock. They are the branches. As long as the branches remain attached to the stock they share in all its life and strength. They bear fruit and their fruit remains, and it is abundant: always a bumper crop. However, a good vine must always be pruned. If any of the branches have died or produced nothing, these branches are a hazard. They must be cut off, put into a pile and burned. Then the good branches that remain attached to the stem can bear more and better fruit.
Again, Jesus stressed the fact that this would not take place in some kind of abstract world or Nirvana. There would be opposition and hostility from the world around. The vine and its branches would have to remain in this hostile world and bear fruit and bear it abundantly.
VICTORY IS ASSURED. JESUS HAS CONQUERED THE WORLD. FAILURE OF THE FIRST ADAM IS REMOVED. John 16. The opposition will come and come soon. They will be kicked out of the synagogues and the Temple. They will be laughed at and ridiculed. Jesus said they were not to be discouraged or afraid. They did it to him first.
Victory is threefold and assured. There will be victory concerning sin, holiness, and judgment. The victory over sin will be the establishing of Jesus as the fulfillment of the Father's plan. They laughed at him and ridiculed him but they will see that what he said was exactly what the Father had said.
There will be a victory with regard to justice. The Greek word used is "dikaiosyne" which is more than our notion of justice. It embraces the whole picture of holiness, righteousness and justice. Jesus was going to the Father in full acceptance, and they would see that his life was exactly what the Father wanted.
Finally, there would be a victory in judgment. This concerned the victory over the prince of this world. This was primarily the restoration of mankind to a state of holiness after the failure of the first Adam. It was through the temptation of Satan or the devil personified in the serpent, that man was led away from God and happiness. Jesus restored the relationship of Father and son by his life of obedience.
Jesus said there was more to this picture but the apostles would not understand it at that moment. When Jesus sent the "Spirit of Truth" then they would understand and follow his teaching and carry out his work.
When Jesus had finished this statement, the apostles were confused and John said they started a regular hubbub of questions among themselves. Jesus told them he understood their concern but he could not explain it any more at the moment. The time was coming when it would all be crystal clear. They would ask the Father in his name and they would get everything. There would be trouble for them in the world but they were not to worry about it. Jesus had overcome the world and so would they.
THE PRIEST PRAYS. THE LORD'S PRAYER IN REAL LIFE. John 17. This chapter has been given many titles. The basic idea is telling the followers how they are to grow in the midst of a hostile world. It is something like the parable of the grain and the weeds. Both have to grow together until the end. Then the weeds are gathered and burned and the grain is gathered into the Father's barns. The grain refers to all those who have identified themselves as followers of Jesus and become members of the true brotherhood of man. The weeds refer to those who, through their own fault, have failed to establish an identity.
Another title for the chapter is the PRIESTLY PRAYER OF CHRIST. In the other gospels, we read of the importance of prayer. Here we learn the theology of prayer as expressed in the OUR FATHER. Yet none of this seems to have been included in John's account. This chapter is John's version of prayer. In many ways, it is far more complete than the other Gospel stories. The individual parts of this Prayer are introduced by the word, FATHER. Notice verses 1, 5, 11, 21, 24, 25.
Verses 1-4 describe ETERNAL LIFE that Jesus was offering to all his followers in the work that he has accomplished. Verses 5-10 talk about the Name of the Father that Jesus has manifested in all its glory by his life. Now he handed the work on to his followers. They were just beginning. They were living in the midst of a hostile world. They were willing to do the work no matter what the cost but they would need constant guidance and help. Verses 11-20 stress the strife, tension and difficulty that his followers would face from the world around them. Jesus said explicitly that he was not asking that they be removed from the world and its difficulties. Rather he was asking for special help and guidance for them in the work they have to do. His one big plea was unity in community. Verses 21-23 contain a special plea for unity and community in the family of God. Or perhaps it is better to use the phrase: establishing the Brotherhood of Men because of the Fatherhood of God. Verse 24 is a plea for unity among his followers in the example they see of Jesus in the Father. Verses 25-26 are a request that the special love of the Father for Jesus may be shared with them, and the unity and community of Jesus and his followers be established in the Father.
He Dies and Death Takes on Positive Meaning
The Gospel story comes to the end of Jesus' life. Like all humans, Jesus would die. Each Gospel story tells us some details about this death. Again, it is important that we do not try to read this as a modern newspaper account in our western world. The mentality is different.
The details chosen in each Gospel were described according to the particular aspect of the personality of Jesus the writers had been developing. These events may have happened exactly as they are recounted. Or they may be told in a symbolic form to bring out a particular aspect of the personality of Jesus and the way in which this community was trying to portray it in the world round about.
If Jesus Christ is to remain a true hero, if he is going to have influence in the world from generation to the next, then he must be kept real. All the talk about his divine and human nature, his divine personality, his beatific vision, his divine and human knowledge and all efforts to synchronize these in this one person are daydreamings of theologians.
Jesus was a real human being and is presented as such. He was a truly gifted person as we use the title, today. He felt strongly about the mission of his people as it had been presented to him from his first years. As he grew older, he saw how this mission of his people was failing because of the failure of the people to grasp its meaning and importance, and the hesitancy or failure to make the effort to carry out this special mission. He saw himself as the one person who could change the world into the Brotherhood of Mankind as envisioned by the prophets. Jesus set about doing just that.
These convictions put him at loggerheads with the authorities of his people at that time, and led ultimately to his death at the hands of the Romans because of the political situation of the time.
GARDEN OF FAILURE :: GARDEN OF OBEDIENCE. John 18:1-11. The first creation story took place in the Garden of Eden, which means Happiness or Pleasure. Because of mankind's failure to obey the plan of Yahweh, they were thrown out of the garden into a world of hardship, suffering and death.
The story of the second creation is about to restore mankind to the favor of Yahweh and bring the first creation to its fulfillment. Therefore it, too, will open in a garden. This was a garden across the Kedron valley where Jesus frequently went with the apostles to get away from the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the Temple and the city. Judas knew the place well since he had been there often.
Judas led the detachment of Temple guards and soldiers out to the garden. All carried weapons and lanterns or torches. John stressed that Jesus knew full well what was going to happen to him if he were taken, but he stepped forward to meet them.
"Whom do you seek?" he asked boldly. They answer, "Jesus the Nazarene!" Jesus said, "Ego eimi" which means "I Am." He used the words which were used to translate the sacred name. The reaction was immediate. The whole crowd backed up quickly and fell down. Judas was among them.
A second time, Jesus says, "Whom do you seek?" They repeated, "Jesus the Nazarene!" Jesus says, "I told you 'I Am.' If you want me, then let these go." He referred to the apostles.
Peter was carrying a sword and, in his impetuous way, pulled the sword and struck out. Even then, he wasn't much of a swordsman. He struck Malchus, the servant of the High Priest, and cut off his right ear. Jesus told Peter to put his sword away and let events carry on as planned.
JESUS ON TRIAL. PETER FAILS. John 18:12-27. Jesus was seized and bound and taken first to Annas because he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high-priest. Caiaphas was the one who suggested it was better for one man TO DIE FOR THE PEOPLE.
Peter and John followed along. The servants knew John so he went right on into the palace courtyard. Peter was left standing at the gate. John went back and spoke to the lady who was in charge at the gate and Peter was allowed to enter.
This lady took one look at Peter and asked, "Aren't you one of the disciples of this man?" Peter denied it flatly: "I am not!" Peter should have recalled the warning of Jesus but he did not.
It was cold and the servants and guards had lighted the fire to keep warm. Peter walked over and stood near the fire. Someone else said to him, "Aren't you one of his disciples?" Peter denies it flatly again, "I am not!" Then one of the high priest's servants, a relative of Malchus whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?" Peter denied it and then the rooster crowed. Peter had done exactly what Jesus had forewarned would happen. Before dawn he denied him three times.
Meanwhile the trial of Jesus before Annas began. Why Annas was even in this picture is a question. He had been high priest and had retained an honorary title as his sons and son-in-law took the office in succession. Annas questioned Jesus about his followers and his teachings.
Jesus answered boldly "I have always taught openly in the synagogue and in the Temple where all the leaders could hear me. I taught nothing in secret. Why ask me? Ask the people who heard what I taught. They know what I said." At these words, the guard struck Jesus in the face and claimed he was talking in a brazen and insulting manner. Jesus asked, "Did I say something wrong? If there is anything wrong, give evidence of it. Otherwise, why are you striking me?"
Annas saw that he would get nowhere so he sent Jesus, still bound, as a prisoner over to Caiaphas.
PILATE: THE JUDGE, WASHES HANDS PUBLICLY. John 18:28-19:16. John's treatment of the Jewish trial is very short. From the house of Caiaphas, they go the Praetorium - the judicial court of the Roman procurator, Pilate. John said explicitly that it was now morning, so the previous hearings were held at night and were thus, all illegal. The Jews could not enter the building because it would defile them for the feast. They stayed outside and Pilate came out to them.
As we know from other sources, Pilate detested the Jews even more than the average Roman politician. He considered his position there as Procurator a political insult and was waiting to get out of there. Now he asks, "What charge are you bringing against this man?" They answered, "If he were not guilty we would not have brought him to you." Pilate snapped back: "Fine! Take him and judge him according to your law!" The leaders retorted, "We are no longer allowed to put a man to death."
These words show the prejudice of the Jewish leaders. They were not interested in a fair trial. They wanted an official condemnation. They admitted they had to come to the pagans begging. John reminded us that Jesus knew this would happen and therefore he knew the kind of death he would undergo since the Romans would be in charge.
Pilate went back into the Praetorium and called to Jesus. "Are you the King of the Jews?" he asks. Jesus responded, "Are you asking this question on your own or because others have been talking about me?"
Pilate's temper flared. "Am I a Jew? Your own people and the chief priests have turned you over to me. What have you done?"
Jesus responds clearly and solemnly. "My Kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my people would have fought to keep me from being taken by the leaders of the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this kind."
Pilate was impressed. "You are really a king?" Jesus answers: "Yes. I am a King. For this was I born and came into the world: to bear witness to the truth. Anyone who is seeking the truth, listens to what I have to say."
Pilate responded with Roman cynicism: "Truth! What is truth?" Then Pilate made the biggest mistake of his life. He asked the right question of the one person who could answer it. But he did not wait for the answer. Instead, he went outside to the leaders of the Jews again.
"I find no cause in this man. According to your custom, I am to release one prisoner to you at this time of the year. Which do you prefer? Shall I release the King of the Jews to you?" The leaders shout back frenziedly: "Not this man, but Barabbas!"
Pilate had deliberately picked a public enemy #1 to contrast to Christ. He knew Jesus was being unjustly accused and given the death penalty. He also knew how much the Jews hated and feared Barabbas, a thief, a murderer, and criminal on every score.
The leaders of the Jews demanded the release of Barabbas and cried out for the death penalty for Jesus. Pilate ordered him to be taken away and scourged, Roman fashion.
Additional Information: The Jewish Law also prescribed a scourging. However, the Jewish scourging was only 39 lashes and they were not allowed to leave any lasting marks in the skin of the victim. Jewish scourging was more of an indignity than a physical punishment. Roman scourging was brutal. Ordinarily the victim died because there was no limit to the number of times they could strike the victim, and there was no limit to the amount of suffering and injury inflicted.
The Roman soldiers knew that the leaders of the Jews hated Jesus so they decided to indulge their twisted sense of humor. They made a helmet of thorns and put that on his head. They put an old purple robe on him and showed mock reverence. They bowed before him and then struck him on the crown of thorns and drove them in deeper.
Pilate came out to the leaders again. "I want you to see that I find no guilt in this man." He brought Jesus out in his terrible plight. He stood him before all the people and said, "Behold the man!" Pilate, of course, was simply pointing to Jesus but John saw a meaning much deeper in those words. Here was the real man, the new Adam, the person who would atone for the failure of the old Adam at the beginning of time.
The leaders cried all the louder, "Crucify him!" Pilate was disgusted. "Take him and judge him by your own law," said Pilate. "I find him innocent."
Then the Jews make their final plea. "We have a Law. According to that law he should die because he makes himself the Son of God!" This shook Pilate right to the roots. Was Jesus in some way related to the "gods?" All the superstitions of the pagan world came flooding into Pilate's mind to terrorize him.
Pilate demanded of Jesus: "Where are you from?" Jesus gave no answer and Pilate responded to his own fears. "Are you refusing to answer me? Don't you know I have the power of life and death over you?"
Jesus replied, "You would have no power over me if it had not been allowed to you from above. That is why the people who handed me over to you have the greater guilt."
Pilate was really impressed by Jesus. He sincerely wanted to set him free. The leaders of the Jews saw this. They challenged Pilate where it hurt the most. They cried out, "If you set this man free you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who makes himself king threatens Caesar."
Pilate knew he was beaten. He brought out the official curule chair and at noon, he pronounced the condemnation. The curule chair was a Roman chair upon which only the highest civil officer of Rome was privileged to sit. "Behold, your king!" But this was not the sentence the Jews wanted to hear. "Take him away, take him away! Crucify him."
Pilate could not resist the taunt, "You want me to crucify your king?" The chief priests shouted publicly, "We have no king but Caesar!" And Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified.
How the Jewish leaders must have hated themselves! They were maneuvered into rejecting Christ, the true king, and shouting their support of Caesar, whom they hated. How often John and his disciples must have reflected on the irony of the outcome. The leaders were constantly galled by the presence of Rome in their holy city, and especially the way in which they had to pay tribute to these Roman rulers. Yet, they hated Jesus so much, that they publicly expressed their preference for the pagan emperor.
WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN, I HAVE WRITTEN. IT IS COMPLETED. "TETELESTAI" John 19:17-37. The leaders take charge of Jesus and head for Golgotha, the hill of skulls, a place where crucifixions were regularly carried out. There were two others to be crucified, on either side of Jesus. Pilate wrote out the cause of death to be appended to the cross of Christ. It read "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." The sign was written in Hebrew, Latin and Greek so that everybody could see what caused the death.
When the leaders saw this sign, they were dumbfounded. This last error was worse than the first. They wanted Pilate to change the sign to read "This man said: I am King of the Jews." Finally, Pilate stiffened his backbone and said bluntly: "What I have written, I have written! The writing stays. Now, get out of here."
One of the unwritten laws of a Roman execution was that the soldiers involved received all the property of the condemned. There were four soldiers on Golgotha so they divided the property into four piles. However his undergarment was seamless. To cut it into four pieces would destroy it. So they rolled dice to see who would get it.
AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS. Now John added a detail to the death scene that is in none of the other gospels. He said that standing at the foot of the cross was Mary, his Mother. With her were her sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. Standing next to her was John, the apostle. He was referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved.
When Jesus saw his Mother and John, he spoke words of outstanding meaning for all times. He said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he turned to John and said, "Behold, your mother!" From that moment, Mary, Jesus' mother, went to live with John in his home.
This scene is of the utmost importance. It does not mean merely that Jesus fulfilled his filial duties toward his mother. Rather he called her "WOMAN" as he had done at the wedding feast in Cana. In both instances, there was no doubt that John and the first Christians saw the importance of Mary's role in the plan of the second creation.
Eve, the first woman, had failed and led Adam into failure. Now Jesus pointed out that woman has been restored to her pristine dignity. Mary, his mother, was the new Eve. She became the new mother of all mankind. She was the mother of salvation. John represented all mankind at that moment. This scene is the foundation of the special place that Mary holds in the history and liturgy of the Church since that time. It also refutes some of the nauseous devotions that have been started without solid meaning or validity.
Twice more Jesus spoke. He cried out, "I thirst!" He tasted the wine offered him to let them know he recognized what it was. He refused it to let us know that he was talking about a far greater thirst than something physical. He thirsted for the conversion and salvation of all people.
Then he cried out, "It is complete!" The Greek is "tetelestai" which means that something is brought to its full meaning. Jesus had accomplished all he set out to do. He had shown his love and offered himself as the atonement sacrifice for the whole world.
Then John said, "He bowed his head and died." Note very carefully how this action is worded. Ordinarily a person died and then his head slumped forward. Jesus deliberately chose to die. He bowed his head and then died.
Ordinarily a person did not die from crucifixion alone. So after some hours, the soldiers would break the legs of the victim, then the body would slump down and the person would suffocate. However, when they came to Jesus, he was already dead. So they pierced his side and the last drops of blood and water ran out. This was clear evidence that he was dead but even more, it was evidence that he had given every last drop of his blood for the re-establishment of mankind. Also no bone in his body had been broken, so he was the true Paschal Lamb.
JESUS BURIED IN TOMB OF JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA. John 19:38-42. It was now late in the day and at sunset, the Passover Day would begin. So Jesus must be buried quickly. Joseph of Arimathea had been a disciple of Jesus, but in secret because of fear of the leaders. Now he went to Pilate to get permission for the body and Nicodemus went with him. They wrapped him in spices and a winding sheet, and put him in a new tomb that was in the garden.
The saga was over. It had begun in a garden at the beginning of time. The first Adam failed in his role. The second Adam came and restored the honor that is mankind's in the plan of the Father. Ordinarily, that would have been the end of the story, but the best was yet to come.
Seventh Week: I Send You! Receive the Breath of the New Creation.
The Gospel according to John comes to its final chapters and events. These events were the ones that the first followers talked about the most. These were the proof of the mission of Jesus and the success of his work. The plan of salvation, the new creation was complete, and now their job was to carry it to the ends of the earth and give all people a chance to participate.
Jesus had been buried hurriedly on Friday evening just before 6:00 P.M. He had been put in a new tomb quickly, right there in the garden. He had not been properly washed and embalmed. The Sabbath of the Passover had intervened and nothing could be done on that Saturday. Now it was early Sunday morning, the first day of the Jewish week.
It was still dark and Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. As she came close, she saw that the stone was moved away from the opening. Mary came running back to Peter and John. We can almost hear her crying out, "They have stolen the body of our Master and we don't know where they put him."
Peter and John took off for the tomb. John was younger and could outrun Peter so he arrived first. He bent down and looked into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths all lying on the ground. But he did not go into the cave. Peter arrived and barged right in. He saw the linens on the ground and also the head cloth. This was not with the linen but was rolled up in a place by itself. Then John went in and he began to believe. Until that moment, said John, they had failed to understand the Scripture, that Jesus was to rise from the dead. John and Peter went home again, their fears removed, a bit of light shining, but still needing more explanation.
Mary of Magdala stood outside the tomb weeping. Then she entered, stooped down and looked into the tomb. She saw two men in white sitting where the body had been. John called them angels or messengers. They asked Mary: "Woman, why are you weeping?"
She answered, "They have taken my Lord away and I don't know where they have put him." With that she turned around and Jesus was standing there - although she did not recognize him. "Woman," he asked, "Why are you weeping? For whom are you looking?"
Mary thought he was a caretaker, and said, "Sir, if you have removed him, tell me where you put him so that I may go and bring him back."
Jesus said, "Mary!" With that word, Mary's eyes were opened and she recognized Him. She cried out in Hebrew, "Rabbouni", which means "My Master!" She fell down at his feet and began kissing them.
Jesus lifted her up gently and told her not to try to hold him back because he still had to ascend to the presence of the Father. She was to go and tell the rest of the disciples. Mary ran back with her good news.
That same evening, the apostles were gathered together in the supper room and had the doors closed and locked for fear of the leaders of the Jews. Jesus came and stood in the middle of the room. "Shalom aleichem" he said. "Peace be to you!"
Then he gave them their mission. "As the Father sent me, so I send you." He breathed upon them the breath of the new creation just as Yahweh had done in the first creation. He defined what that mission was in its essential form. They were to work with all people. They were to remove the sins of those who cooperated and ignore the people who refused to cooperate.
The people to whom they were sent and with whom they were to work were not different than before. Some will cooperate and accept the salvation that is offered. Some will ignore and refuse what is offered.
Thomas was not in the room when Jesus came. When he came back, they all babbled at once. "We have seen the Lord!" Thomas looked at them and said, "I'll believe that when I can put my fingers into the holes in his hands and my hand into his side and not before."
Eight days later, the apostles were all gathered together again, Thomas with them. Jesus appeared and greeted them. Then he said to Thomas. "Come here, Thomas! Here are my hands! Put your finger into the nail holes. Be not unbelieving but believe." Thomas said in a voice that barely came out, "My Lord and My God!"
Jesus summed it all up in a few words. In a certain sense the faith of Thomas was far more important than that of all the others. He really did not believe until he could see. Jesus' words make this clear. "You believe because you can see me. Happy the people who have not seen and yet have believed."
Then John gave us the summary of his writing. "Many other signs Jesus worked and his disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These were recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and through this faith you may have life in his name."
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. At one time, Chapter Twenty was the end of the Gospel according to John. Then an appendix, now called chapter 21, was added. It may have been added by John or by his immediate disciples. It is authentic.
First was the appearance of Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias, another name for the Sea of Galilee. Peter and Thomas, Nathanael (Bartholomew), John and James, and two more apostles were together. Suddenly Peter says, "I'm going fishing!" They all said, "We'll go with you!" So they got into a boat but caught nothing all night.
With the first light, Jesus was standing on the shore but they did not realize who it was. "Caught anything, friends?" he asked. They answered "No!" He told them to toss their net on the right side and they would get fish. They put their net into the water. It was so filled they could not haul it in. John kept looking at this man and he said, "It is the Lord!"
Peter was quick to respond. Peter was fishing in just his underwear but when he heard what John said, he threw his cloak around him and jumped in the water and swam to shore. They were about a hundred yards off shore and the others came in with the boat.
Jesus had a fire and some bread, and he said they should bring some of the fish they had just caught. Peter went aboard the boat and dragged the net to shore. It was full of big fish, 153 of them to be exact, and the net had not broken. Jesus gave them all a good breakfast and John added: This was the third time he had appeared to them since his rising from the dead.
DO YOU LOVE ME? When the meal was over, Jesus turned to Peter. "Simon, do you love me more than all of these?" Peter said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my Lambs!" A second time Jesus asked, "Simon, do you love me?" Peter replied, "Yes, Lord, you know I love you." Jesus said, "Pasture my sheep." A third time, Jesus asked, "Simon, do you love me?" Peter was upset when Jesus asked the third time and he said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep!"
There is no doubt of the deep significance of this story. Peter had been told he would deny Jesus when he was under pressure. He was told exactly when it would happen. And Peter walked right in and denied he knew Jesus, three times. Now he has to protest his love publicly to show he is worthy of his mission.
Jesus' favorite figure of himself and his work for people was the shepherd and his flock. Now he handed over the care of that flock to Peter in a special way. He also told him how his life would end. He too will be led to a cross and crucified.
Tradition tells us much about the great work that Peter as leader did. He did die on the cross - upside down because he said he did not deserve to die upright as the Master had died.
As Jesus and Peter began to walk away together, Peter asked about John. Jesus said, "Now, don't bother your head about him. You follow me and take care of your work. John will do his share."
Then John added the note that he was the one who vouched for the truth of all that was said in this Gospel. That brings the Gospel according to John to a conclusion.
End Note One: FIVE WRITINGS. John has been the source of five writings in the New Testament. One is an encyclical letter addressed to the Christian communities of Asia. There were various heresies among them and they were on the verge of a break-up. The letter presented a summary of various Joannine themes: light, justice, love, and truth. John stressed that these truths had to be brought into the lives of the people in order to fulfill their faith in Jesus Christ and their love of each other. This letter is the closest to the Gospel in style and teaching. It may have been written about the same time and might even have been a sort of outline or preamble to the Gospel. This letter is followed by two short notes. (Chronologically, the two notes probably appeared first.) The fourth writing is called "The Apocalypse" or, in the Latin translation, "Revelation." Finally, we have this Gospel. Note: I would also add the "Letter to the Hebrews" to this Joannine tradition. This is my opinion based on the internal similarity between the teachings of this letter and the known writings of John.
End Note Two: CREATION — NEW CREATION SEVEN DAYS — SEVEN WEEKS. There is no doubt that John was primarily interested in salvation and the Christian life as the NEW CREATION. The original account of creation was presented in Genesis as the SEVEN DAYS of creation. John developed a picture of the SEVEN WEEKS of the New Creation. In the first creation story, Yahweh spoke and all things sprang into being. It was the creative Word of God that gave rise to the universe. John started out from this point and then quickly, in a prologue or an introduction, showed how Jesus was the full manifestation of this creative word in the new creation.
End Note Three: To Understand this Gospel. This Gospel story is traced to the teachings of John, the Apostle. He was a boy in his early teens at the time he was chosen by Jesus as a member of the select 12. The other members of the twelve were all a bit older. However, they were not old men as artists often depict them. They were all in their late teens or early twenties, just a few years younger than Jesus. John and his brother, James, were called (in Greek) "Boanerges" by Jesus. This nickname means "sons of thunder." They were very active persons and wanted to get things done, no matter who is stepped on in the process. John was recognized as the favorite of Jesus from the very start but this was clearly not a matter for jealousy or envy on the part of the others. John was also called the "beloved disciple" or "apostle of love." This is a reference to the key point of his message about Jesus and the Christian way of life. Everything centers around the true notion of a life of total love.
SIGNS. John had a Semitic mind and therefore he would follow the Semitic form of history. He was interested in the facts and details of the life of Jesus only insofar as they taught or brought out a certain point. John used the Greek word "semeion" for the deeds of Jesus. This word means "sign" or "symbol." John did not say how these actions took place. He told us what they meant and should mean in the life of every follower of Jesus.
COMPARISONS, NOT CONCORDANCES. To say the least, John's account of the life of Jesus is different from the other three and should be read separately. When all the gospel stories have been read independently, then the reader can make comparisons. However, a reader should never be so foolish as to try to write a Gospel CONCORDANCE in which all the Gospel stories are sandwiched together. This procedure would destroy the beauty and value of each of the four gospels. It would be like taking four masterpieces by Michelangelo, mashing them all together, and then saying we have a masterpiece. We would have destroyed all four in the attempt. A Concordance of the Gospels does the same to the four Gospels.
End Note Four: Literary form of John: PARABOLA. Here is a short note about the literary format of much of the writing of John. It is called the "PARABOLA." The parabola is a figure of speech that looks like an urn. Like an urn, the whole unit rests on the base and then fans out in all directions. The Prologue is composed as one of these parabolas. It would be divided in this manner: John 1:1-2: God's word. John 1:3: Creative word. John 1:4-5: Life: light in darkness. John 1:6-8: Line of prophets to John. John 1:9-11: Word not known, not accepted. John 1:12-13: Power to become children of God. John 1:14: Incarnation. John 1:15: Baptism. John 1:16: Death. John 1:17: Resurrection. John 1:18: Ascension.