OCTOBER 31, 2014

October 31, 2014

John 18-21

The arrangers of our Bible Read-thru have times the end of the Gospels with the end of October. John’s final four chapters are not unlike his entire gospel: filled with material we didn’t hear from the others. Nevertheless, the picture we see of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection is NOT inconsistent with Matthew, Mark and Luke.

It’s only John that recounts how the arresting mob fell to the ground when Jesus identified himself, “I am he.” (Another great “I AM!”) Only John tells us the name of Peter’s ear-cutting victim: Malchus. Only John gives us the extended version of Jesus conversations with Pilate. Only John tells us specifically that Jesus “carried his own cross” for a while. Only John tells us of Pilate’s odd refusal to change the sign over Jesus’ head. Only John describes his tender conversation with John and his mother from the cross. Only John records his thirst and the statement, “It is finished.” Only John tells us that Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in Jesus burial.

When it comes to the resurrection, it is a bit difficult to reconcile the four accounts of what precisely happened and who was there, but they all agree on the most important details. Only John, however, tells us of Jesus self-revealing conversation with Mary Magdalene in the garden near the tomb. Only John relates Thomas absence from the secured room on Easter evening and his encounter with Jesus the next week. And finally, only John tells us of the Jesus resurrection appearance to seven of the disciples along the shores of Galilee. There Jesus reinstated Peter in the most creative and powerful way. 

Like Peter, we can hear Jesus ask us: “Do you love me more than these?” As we say, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he quickly adds, “Then feed my sheep!” 

Tomorrow is All Saints Day (and today is All Hallow’s Eve!), the day we celebrate the lives of Jesus’ sheep!

Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,

Pastor Gary