Breaking the Word

5^th week in Lent, Saturday – 4^th April 2020 – John 11,45-57

Death that unites

The religious leaders were not interested in the destruction of the temple or even Jerusalem, but were worried about the effect of Jesus’ popularity over their own. Their main concern seems to be their own loss of power and so they come together to discuss how Jesus and His teaching might affect Jewish nation. They were afraid that Jesus will lead people in such a way that the Romans will come and destroy Jerusalem and disperse the Jews throughout the Roman Empire. Caiaphas, the high priest, speaks on behalf of them. He wants Jesus to die so that great trouble can be avoided. In fact, he is unknowingly prophesying about the true meaning of Jesus’ death. Though his sole aim is political convenience, he is collaborating in God’s plan of salvation for the whole human race. He uses his power to suppress God’s word but in effect bears witness to Jesus. In fact, Jesus’ death gathers together all the scattered people of God, through unity that was never witnessed before.

5^th week in Lent, Friday – 3^rd April 2020 – John 10, 31-42

Correlation of words and works

In the Gospel, Jesus is being confronted by the opponents for three things: for the proclamation of the Word of God, for doing the works of God and for holding on to his position as God’s son. They wanted to stone him, not for the miracles He has done, but because He spoke of his Abba-relationship, which is a blasphemy. Jesus used the Hebrew Scripture, first half of Ps 82,6 in which human beings are regarded as ‘gods’, to prove his claims and disprove theirs. Then He does appeal to his works as a proof that He shares his life with God and in keeping with God’s plan for the world. However when Jesus proclaimed himself in the Temple area the Pharisees never believed His words and works, always wanted to stone Him. When he moved to Jordan, the place where John’s witnesses still echoes, it is said that many came to believe in Jesus there. In this place, many simple people, with grace and wisdom, were able to correlate John’s words with Jesus works. It is here, the ministry of Jesus comes to full circle as this section of the gospel ends. But this return to the beginning suggests that the end is near.