From the Rector, Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 11/7/21
Introduction to Saint John’s Writings
Lesson 9
- Apostle, Beloved Disciple
- 20:31: “So that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His Name”
- Fiery, thunderous personality, impetuous youth
- Asks for place at side of Christ (think of Crucifixion)
- This turns to zeal for love of Christ (“cup of baptism”)
- Very different from Synoptics
- No need to write what they have done (Assumes familiarity with those writings)
- Written by a much older man, having had more time to pray and contemplate (deep theology!)
- Written for converts to faith perhaps
- Themes
- Divine Son of God (Logos, Only-Begotten)
- Early heresy that Christ was not God (Cerinthus (Gnostic), Ebionites (Christ was created))
- “I AM”
- 7 with follow up (Bread of life; Light of the world; Sheep gate; Good Shepherd; Resurrection; Way, Truth, Life; Vine)
- 7 stand-alone (Ex. 3:14-15)
- 7 signs
- Water to wine; healing sick boy; healing paralytic; feeding 5,000; healing blind man; resurrection of Lazarus; Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
- New Temple (Jn. 2:14-21 (Cleansing of Temple); 19:31-34 (Blood and Water)
- New Adam, Eve, Law of Love
- Bridegroom (Jn. 2 (Bridegroom provides wine); 3:29-30: “Bridegroom”; 4 (Husbands found at Well))
- “Hour” and Time
- Very sacramental (1:14!) (signs)
- Symbols: Water, light, fire, life
- Divine Son of God (Logos, Only-Begotten)
Writings: Gospel, 1-3 John, Revelation
