JESUS CHRIST: GOD’S REVELATION TO THE WORLD CHAPTER 9 JESUS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Journal Read John 3:1-21 & 8:1-59 John’s Gospel is a mystical gospel. Mysticism is the sense of being in contact with the Transcendent. For John the aspiration of the mystical experience is to be in union with Christ. How does John’s mysticism shine through in each of these passages?

John 1:1-18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life,  and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.  

John 3:1-21 Nicodemus Visits Jesus 3 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”[b] 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born from above.’[e] 8 The wind[f] blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

John 3:1-21 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you[g] do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.[h] 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[i] 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”

John 8:31-59 True Disciples 31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. 38 I declare what I have seen in the Father’s presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father.”

John 8:31-59 Jesus and Abraham 39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing[j] what Abraham did, 40 but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are indeed doing what your father does.” They said to him, “We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. 44 You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God.”

John 8:31-59 Jesus and Abraham 48 The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?”49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. 50 Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it and he is the judge. 51 Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets also died. Who do you claim to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, he of whom you say, ‘He is our God,’ 55 though you do not know him. But I know him; if I would say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; he saw it and was glad.” 57 Then the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”[k] 58 Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

Organization of John’s Gospel Prologue Highlights the theme of the Gospel The Book of Signs Miracles and their teachings The Book of Glory Explanation of Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection Epilogue: Resurrection Appearances Differences between Jesus’ newly resurrected body and his former one

Background of the Gospel of John Date: likely between 90 and 100 AD Earliest fragment of New Testament writing is from John’s Gospel: John Rylands Greek papyrus Author: John, the “Beloved Disciple” Possibly written in several stages and edited by different people who were inspired by John Audience: diverse group that included Samaritan converts, Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians who were expelled from synagogues

Themes of the Gospel of John Strengthen the faith of the believers Win new converts Fight false ideas about Jesus’ full humanity or even his divinity Challenge followers of John the Baptist who wrongly believed he was the Messiah

The Uniqueness of John’s Gospel More mystical than the synoptics Emphasizes that Jesus Christ is true God and true man New characters appear Jewish feasts are highlighted over Jesus’ three-year ministry Center of Jesus’ ministry is Jerusalem Long, extended discourses rather than short sayings or parables Jesus is the focus of God’s Revelation— ”I AM” Very poetic

The Incarnation “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the word became flesh.”

The Incarnation sarks (Greek), carne (Latin) FLESH WE CANNOT BE HUMAN BEINGS WITHOUT BODIES! Docetism: an early heresy that was associated with the Gnostics that claimed that Jesus had no human body and only appeared to die on the Cross

The Importance of the Incarnation If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then he didn’t really die and rise. If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then our human nature is not healed. If Jesus Christ only seemed to be human, then we have never perceived the Glory of God.

Mary, the Mother of God By responding “yes” to God’s invitation to the Incarnation at the Annunciation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish.

The study of Jesus Christ— trying to understand who he is Christology The study of Jesus Christ— trying to understand who he is John focuses on the heavenly origins of Christ and his fundamental identity as God’s only Son. The synoptics provide a narrative of Jesus of Nazareth and develop his story as an ascent to glory through the Paschal Mystery.

The Signs in John’s Gospel Sign 1: The Wedding at Cana Jesus changed the water into wine; we believe that he can change us. Water symbolizes baptism; wine symbolizes the Eucharist. Mary’s concern for others moved her to intercede.

The Signs in John’s Gospel Sign 3: Cure on a Sabbath Sign 2: Cure of the Official’s Son Power of Jesus’ word was enough to heal the son of a court official Jesus can rescue us from spiritual death. Shows the power of intercessory prayer (prayer for others) Jesus is the source of life. “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” Both the Son and the Father work on the Sabbath.

The Signs in John’s Gospel Sign 4 and 5: Multiplication of Loaves and Walking on Water Recall Moses’ miracles in Exodus after the first Passover Manna in the desert Walking through the Red Sea Jesus is the New Moses and the true Passover.

Bread of Life Discourse After these signs, Jesus tells his disciples that he replaces the manna of the Exodus. He is the source of eternal life—the Eucharist. The Eucharist brings about an intimate relationship between Christ and the Church. Peter: Master, to whom shall we go?

The Signs in John’s Gospel Sign 6: Cure of a Man Born Blind Sign 7: Raising of Lazarus Contrasts a blind man who was given sight with those who had physical sight yet were spiritually blind. Remain faithful to Jesus and your faith will deepen. The Lord teaches that spiritual blindness is worse than physical blindness. This most important sign prefigures Jesus’ own Death and Resurrection. Sums up all the signs Jesus is the way of life Jesus is the Resurrection Jesus is God (“I Am”). Faith is essential for us to gain eternal life.

The Last Supper John reports the Last Supper occurred on the day the Jews killed the lambs for Passover. Every Eucharist re-presents in an unbloody manner the one Sacrifice of Christ. Jesus washes the feet of his disciples. He promises to send the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit

The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus The Lord greatly desires to live in us, people united to him.

Passion Narrative Jesus is in control of the events of his Passion. John highlights the Old Testament prophecies concerning the crucifixion. Jesus entrusted his Mother to the Beloved Disciple, and symbolically, to the whole Church.

Comparing the Resurrection Narratives All four Gospels agree on the following essentials: The Resurrection took place early in the morning on the first day of the week. Women were present at the tomb, definitely including Mary Magdalene. The stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty. A messenger or messengers who spoke to the women were at the tomb; the women were to tell the disciples what took place.