Life, Faith & Vegetables

Tag: Johns gospel readings

Lent Reflection Day 21, 28th March

March 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 12:1-22

Jesus has come in from the country for this final Passover before his death, and what better way to spend his first evening than in the company of his good friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. One imagines there would be much reminiscing over what had happened to Lazarus and a celebration. (Note: Matthew and Mark say this meal happened at the home of Simon the leper, who also lived in Bethany).

Mary takes this opportunity to express her adoration of Jesus and, unknowingly, prepares Jesus for burial. A pound of nard is an expensive gift. It comes from a Nepalese plant and its worth demonstrates Mary’s total devotion to Jesus. In contrast we see Judas bemoaning the fact he wasn’t going to be able to steal some of this for himself. Jesus is clear about what matters most at this moment. There is a time for worship and a time for service.

The huge following caused by the miracle of Lazarus’ resurrection results in an astonishing sight as people arrive to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem. This is one of the few events recorded in all four gospels.

Palm branches were used as a part of worship and as signs of victory and kingship. The words in v 13 would not be surprising as a greeting but coupled with the palm branches and, on this occasion, Jesus acceptance of their declaring him a king, the Pharisees are infuriated.

Jesus is king, he has been since the beginning of time, but not as we understand or experience human rulers. His purpose is salvation. Hosanna (save now).

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Reflection Day 11, 17th March

March 17, 2025 / / 0 Comments

John 6:22-71

Here we have a long discourse on the topic of Jesus being the bread of life. This is his first ‘ I am’ saying in v 35.

Jesus faces is the materialists who want something(v6), the legalists and the miracle seekers. He seems to go out of his way to offend and irritate them so that many fall away. Jesus’ challenge draws a confession of faith out of Simon Peter with the declaration’’ where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life. He declares that they, the twelve, know he is the Holy One of God. The crowd wants food for the stomach (materialists), but Jesus has come to give them the food (spiritual) that endures forever. When they ask ‘how do we earn this?’ (legalists), Jesus tells them it is simply by believing in him. This they are not willing to do and so astonishingly they ask for a miracle to outdo the manna in the wilderness (miracle seekers).

The drinking of blood is forbidden in Jewish law (Leviticus 17:10–14) and so the Jews are disgusted by Jesus’ teaching. However, it is clear that Jesus equates the eating and drinking of his body and blood with belief in him. Whilst we inevitably make the connection with the Last Supper and the remembrance of his death, here the metaphor is used to emphasise the need to believe to receive eternal life.

All are welcome to come to Jesus. All can have complete security in him, Jesus is the sustainer and giver of true life. All are promised eternal life by belief only, not by the law.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

Lent Reflection Day 2, 6th March

March 6, 2025 /

John 1:29-51

In the previous passage John the Baptist made it plain that he was not the Messiah but the one preparing the way for him by baptising those who would repent. Here we see the first reference to Jesus as the ‘Lamb of God’, the one who will take away humanities sin. (There are echoes in this of Abraham’s sacrifice, the Day of Atonement, the Passover, the sin offering, and Isaiah’s suffering servant). There is only one way this can happen, and so we have the first indicator of Jesus’ death. John has baptised Jesus and seen the Holy Spirit descend upon him. Jesus is anointed for his ministry and so begins to call his disciples.

As two of John’s disciples follow Jesus, we find that one of them is Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. The brothers both follow, as does Philip who is from the same town. John 1:45 tells us they are already convinced of who Jesus is. Philip in turn tells Nathaniel who is doubtful until Jesus demonstrates his supernatural knowledge of him. Jesus promises they will see the Kingdom of heaven coming down on the ‘Son of Man’.

The fact that Andrew was already following John suggests that there is a searching for truth and a hope in them that draws them to Jesus. His person, his character, words and action reveal who he is. There has been no prophetic word in Israel for 400 years, they are living under Roman occupation, there is a longing for a rescuer, the Messiah, to come. They know what the scriptures say about the Messiah and are convinced he is the one.

The invitation of Jesus and Philip is to ‘come and see’. That’s what we will do over the next few weeks.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.

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