In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life,^[a] and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.⁶ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷ He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸ He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ⁹ The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. ¹¹ He came to his own,^[b] and his own people^[c] did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:1-13

The Gospel of John is not one of the synoptic gospels, synoptic meaning Gospels that are “similar”—similar in structure, in story, and in style. John is a different animal. It came to be added into the canon late in the process, mostly because of its Gnostic overtones.  There are some things to look for as you read this gospel. First, notice that the sons of Zebedee, James and John do not appear in this gospel. Notice too the referral to the “disciple whom Jesus loved”. There are many theories of who this is supposed to represent…John the gospel writer, Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, even Peter. Notice how John lacks many of the stories that are common to the other gospels.  Also notice that Irony and Paradox are common in John with many people misunderstanding what Jesus says only to lead us to deeper levels of meaning. We do not get a lot of the Gospel of John in our three year lectionary, so enjoy this opportunity to immerse yourself in this wonderful book.

Pastor Dave

“And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. ³ And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”⁴ And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. ⁵ And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. ⁶ And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” ⁸ And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” Mark 16:2-8

The earliest manuscripts end at Mark 16:8. I like this ending because it leaves us with a conundrum. If the women did return from the tomb in terror and amazement, and said nothing to anyone, then we have an interesting dilemma – because obviously someone told someone else. Perhaps this Gospel ends this way because, since we can only deduce that obviously someone told someone else, then we, as the reader are compelled to do the same. The longer ending of Mark is difficult to read and seems to be in a different style of writing.  But, no matter the case, we are left with a decision – do we go home and keep this good news to ourselves, afraid of what others might think and say? Do we live our lives reflecting the Gospel message of the good news of the resurrection, or do we live thinking it is just a fairytale? Do we go forth proclaiming the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ to all who need to hear it—or are we ashamed because others will make fun of us?

We are part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The Evangelical means “Good News”—the good news of Jesus Christ. We have a choice—live it and love it—or leave it. I am choosing to embrace this good news and live it out in my live every day.

Pastor Dave