Monday, February 10, 2014

Reading John's Gospel ... Week 6 of 11 ... John 11-12


The Gospel of John
February 10-16
www.spu.edu/lectio

John 11:1 – 12:50

By Dr. Laura Sweat

Daily Readings suggestion:

Monday………..11:1-16
Tuesday……….11:17-37
Wednesday….11:38-57
Thursday………12:1-19
Friday…………..12:20-36
Saturday………12:37-50

 
Where We’ve Been…

Last week we encountered

·         Jesus intervening on behalf of a woman caught in adultery (8:7 “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”)

·         Jesus claiming to be the Light of the World (8:12-13 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”)

·         Jesus revealing more about his divine nature (8:58-59 Jesus said “Before Abraham was, I am”…so they picked up stones to throw at him.  In 10:30-31 Jesus said “The Father & I are one”…so the Jews took up stones again to stone him.)

·         Jesus healing a man born blind and revealing himself as the Good Shepherd and the Gate for the sheep (10:4 “the sheep follow him because they know his voice…”)

Following the pattern of reflection/discussion question laid down in last week’s post, consider these questions based on your encounter with Jesus in John’s gospel:
  • What did these encounters tell you about who Jesus is?
  • How have you or might you experience this Jesus in the present day?
  • Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus?  Why, and what might Jesus do for them?  Pray for them.


Where We’re Headed…

Life for Dead Lazarus
Jesus gets word of his friend’s death & risks his life to visit the family (12:1-16)
Jesus reveals that he is the resurrection and the life (12:17-27)
Jesus weeps for his friend, and raises Lazarus to life (12:28-44)

  • What does this encounter tell you about Jesus?  What does it show about the way Jesus relates to his friends?  What does it show about Jesus’ power over death? 
  • How have you or might you experience this Jesus in the present day?
  • Who do you know who might need to know this aspect of Jesus?  Why, and what might Jesus do for them?  Lift them up to the Lord, for him to fill them with his life.

Death for the Living Son of Man
A plot to kill Jesus (11:45-57)
Mary anoints Jesus (12:1-11)
Jesus enters Jerusalem & speaks of his impending death (12:12-36)
Many didn’t believe in Jesus; nevertheless, many did believe (12:37-50)

  • What do these texts tell you about who Jesus is?  More specifically, what do you think of the increasing emphasis on Jesus’ death?  Why is the story unfolding in this way?  How do you feel as you read it?
  • What relevance do these words have for your present-day life?
  • What relevance might they have for someone you know who doesn’t yet know Jesus?

Words of Blessing

May Jesus fill you with his life, calling you forth from the ways of death and securing for you an existence into eternity. Amen.

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