Notes from Sunday, Feb.13

JOHN 6:1-8:11

Jesus Himself As A Sign

 

Judith lead the class.

 

MAIN IDEA:  Jesus himself is a sign of God’s life-giving activity among humanity; and  the open demonstration of his purpose demands a response.

 

6:1-15 – Feeding of the 5000

• Notice movement back to Galilee/mountain top (1-4)
• Read 5-15
• Ref to Passover = link to theme of bread?
• Passover – Exodus – manna
• “the Prophet” ref to Elisha, Elijah’s successor who multiplied barley loaves ?(2 Kings 4:42-44)
• People expecting Mosaic prophet/Davidic king?
• Jn 1:19-21 – questioning John
• Messiah
• Elijah
• The prophet
• X = culmination of all 3

o       Only miracle closely similar to all other Gospels

(Mt 14:13-21; Mk 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-17)

·        Lessons to be learned over and above the miracle itself

o       The boy gave all he had. (Widow’s mite) The disciples “knew” they didn’t have enough so gave nothing.

o       God gives abundantly! (leftovers)

o       God doesn’t choose the equipped; God equips the chosen.

 

JOHN 6:16-21 – Walking on Water

o       Compare Mt 14:22-33; Mk 6:45-52

§         Note lack of concluding reaction on part of the disciples

·        What might that indicate? (Not as important as a sign?)

 

Jn 6:22-59 – Bread from Heaven

• How is this discourse like X’s conversations w/Samaritan woman and Nicodemus? ( Physical/spiritual play w/words)
• What do you understand X to be saying?
• Notice 2 ways he develops theme of “bread of life”
• Fulfillment of manna motif
• Eucharistic language
• Not present at the Last Supper in John
• What does the phrase “I am the bread of life” mean to you?
• What images does it conjure?
• How can one’s faith be nourished by this bread?

 

Jn 6:60-71 – RESPONSES TO JESUS’ DISCOURSE

o       Jesus is saying:

1.      He descended from heaven.

2.      People are to believe in Him.

3.      People must feast upon him in order to receive life.

o       How did “the Jews” react?

o       How did the disciples react?

 

Jn 7:7-9 – BROTHERS’ RESPONSE

o       How do his brothers respond?

 

Jn 7:10-52 – TABERNACLES CONTROVERSIES (RESPONSES)

o       What are some of the responses?

·        Note each teaching evokes a response.

Jn 7:53-8:11 – THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN

• Textual problems
• Earliest texts do not include it.
• Later manuscripts place it in different places.
• So, why might it be included?
• Woman is a pawn in dispute between Jesus and the Pharisees.
• Speaks to Jesus’ message of mercy.
• Speaks to the presence of guilt even among the “righteous.”

For next week, reflect on what the phrase “I am the bread of life” means to you.