One of the most artistic and provocative stories in the Gospel of John is the Martha, Lazarus and Jesus story in John 11. The story is plumbed by Rodney Reeves, in Spirituality according to John. He weaves it through with his experience of loss in his music-loving mother’s death.
Thank you for taking us into John's gospel today. Back in 1973 in Vienna Austria I took a small interrnational group and myself on a long journey through John's gospel and it changed my life. Now I would like to see John's letters joined in conversation with his "gospel." They seem tacked on to the end if the Second Testament, but they must be a part of the apostle's growing understanding of our Lord, one that both nourishes and challenges us.
Scot, ever since I started reading Abraham’s Silence (thanks for the recommendation and the podcast interview) I see this type of vigorous lament in places I would not be looking for it. Certainly Martha’s willingness to NOT be silent, but speak up, brings to us a richer understanding of Jesus as the [I Am] Resurrection. I know this isn’t about Middleton’s book, but how about the parable of the fruitless fig tree in Luke 13:6-9! Who saves this tree after Jesus’ rough words about its continued existence? I could go on. But these forms of lament, frank speech to God, about what appears to be injustice on his part is a clear pattern we need to consider. As the writer of Hebrews said, we need to come boldly (frank and honest speech toward God) that we might receive mercy and find grace….” Thanks!
Thank you for taking us into John's gospel today. Back in 1973 in Vienna Austria I took a small interrnational group and myself on a long journey through John's gospel and it changed my life. Now I would like to see John's letters joined in conversation with his "gospel." They seem tacked on to the end if the Second Testament, but they must be a part of the apostle's growing understanding of our Lord, one that both nourishes and challenges us.
Scot, ever since I started reading Abraham’s Silence (thanks for the recommendation and the podcast interview) I see this type of vigorous lament in places I would not be looking for it. Certainly Martha’s willingness to NOT be silent, but speak up, brings to us a richer understanding of Jesus as the [I Am] Resurrection. I know this isn’t about Middleton’s book, but how about the parable of the fruitless fig tree in Luke 13:6-9! Who saves this tree after Jesus’ rough words about its continued existence? I could go on. But these forms of lament, frank speech to God, about what appears to be injustice on his part is a clear pattern we need to consider. As the writer of Hebrews said, we need to come boldly (frank and honest speech toward God) that we might receive mercy and find grace….” Thanks!
Thanks, Michael, for bringing me back to Scot's point about Martha's lament. I got off on my own tangent. SIGH.