To start this blog, I think that the best thing to do is summarize the 3 chapters which we are covering. John Chapters 18, 19, and 20. They’re not the most happy or cheerful chapters in the bible, but they certainly are significant. In Chapter 18, this is where Judah betrays Jesus by leading a group of soldiers to the garden where Jesus was. The soldiers were armed with various items such as torches, lanterns, and other weapons.
The part of this story that I particularly like which shoes the passion of Christ is when these men ask for Jesus of Nazareth and he willing says “I am he”. Jesus is proud of the man that he is and the reputation that he has. Additionally, he is a great protector of his people (disciples) as he tells the men to let them go and to only take him.
This story also deals with the denial by Peter. Simon Peter were following Jesus and were asked if he was one of Jesus’ disciples and he replied that he is not. This is another example of a lack of passion from someone who should be especially loyal to Jesus. He then continues to deny Jesus twice more. It’s sad to see that someone who Jesus trusted to be there for him wouldn’t stand by his side when he needed him the most.
Chapter 19 discusses when the soldiers took Jesus and crucified him. I think the strongest part of this text was when Jesus was being killed. It mentions how he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. This deals with his passion and his modesty. It shows how peaceful and accepting Jesus was. He didn’t try to fight his death. But he rather bowed his head and let it happen.
What I feel makes this gospel someone unique from the synoptic gospels is that Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus mainly on the work that Jesus did (through miracles and parables, etc). They describe his actions and how they affected others, while John really describes who Jesus is. It feels much more personable.
Lastly, chapter 20 describes Mary Magdalene as she went to the tomb to look for her Jesus. In the tomb she doesn’t see a body and begins to cry. Only then to find two angels sitting over the body. Before long she realizes that it’s Jesus. Mary then possesses some of the most important news: that Jesus has ascended to his father, to all of our fathers.
I like these accounts because we get to see a very personable side of Jesus. We see him and get to know who he truly is. The people around him not only personify him through the pages, but develop his grace through their actions.
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