In his introduction to the whole commentary Burridge writes:
Unlike the other gospels which seem to relate only one season of ministry leading to a Passover, John has a logical sequence over several years with three Passovers (2:13; 6:4; 12:1). But time seems to go round and round, to speed up and slow down. (pp. 15-16)John sets today's passage during the festival of the Dedication, which we know as Hanukkah, that takes place during the darkest days of the year. Burridge says:
The festival's stress on the zeal of good leaders, like the Maccabees, contrasts with the bad shepherds' treatment of the blind man (9:34), while the Lights remind us of Jesus, the light of the world (8:12; 9:5). The setting in the temple porticoes (10:23) recall the other debates in the temple (2:13-22; 7:14-44; 8:12-59), as well as the healing of the paralysed man and the woman taken in adultery (5:14; 8:1-12). (p. 136)To me, it seems that Jesus and "the Jews" just keep having the same argument with the same result over and over and over...
- "The Jews" are divided as to who/what they believe Jesus to be
- "The Jews" ask Jesus to tell them plainly
- Jesus repeats his assertions and proofs
- Jesus tells them that if they had faith, they would believe
- Some believe
- Some disbelieve
- Some want to kill him
John is using an oral storytelling tool: repetition of a key idea or phrase. However, because he is writing it can be longer than a simple, easily repeatable phrase. Clearly, John wants to make it very clear to his community what Jesus said about who he (Jesus) is and what his relationship is to God.
How many times do we have to go through this?
Until we learn it.
Peace,
Jeffri
No comments:
Post a Comment