the gospels

Week 79 - Read Mark
              Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that God has sent the messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, into the world and that event is Good News.

                Central Concepts: The key concepts in the Gospel of Mark are that Jesus is referred to as Son of God who carries out a series of mighty acts which, for those who are open to seeing them, demonstrate that the Kingdom of God is breaking into the world in Jesus.  Please notice how often the term “immediately” is used, especially in the opening chapters of the book.  For the author, this concept of Jesus being in constant motion lends emphasis to the importance of the Good News, which needed to be told immediately, even so this book also contains what some have called the Messianic Secret, meaning that when Jesus does something amazing he tells people to keep it to themselves.

                Brief Summary:  The Book of Mark can be divided into five main sections.  There is a prologue (1:1-13), Jesus’ ministry in Galilee (1:14-8:21), Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (8:22-10:52), Jesus’ confrontation with the authorities and his death (11:1-15:41) and Jesus’ burial and resurrection (15:42-16:8). 

                The prologue in Mark is the shortest in all of the Gospels.  It offers us the barest of introductions.  We learn that the book is about the Good News of Jesus, that John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for Jesus, that he baptized Jesus and that after the baptism Jesus is driven into the wilderness to be tempted; in a mere 13 verses.  The author also refers to the book as the “beginning” of the Good News, meaning that the Good News is to continue through the life and work of the church.
          The reader is then led into Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.  This section begins with the calling of the first disciples and then quickly moves into a series of stories about Jesus’ power.  We watch Jesus cast out a demon, heal people from sickness and leprosy.  Jesus then engages in a series of disagreements with the religious establishment over things such as his ability to forgive sins and to ignore Sabbath observances.  These stories lead us into accounts of Jesus calling the rest of his disciples (a new family) while rejecting his old family and then a long series of healings and other acts of power (stilling the storm, etc.).  The initial rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders is found here as well.

                The next section, which takes place on the road to Jerusalem, opens with Peter declaring that Jesus is the messiah; followed by Jesus’ explanation that he will die and be raised; something that is central to this part of the Gospel.  While there is a healing story in this section the focus is on teaching about discipleship.  He is preparing his disciples for the difficult road ahead.

                The fourth section is centered in Jerusalem where Jesus turns over the tables of the money changers and then teaches in the Temple, where his authority is challenged by the religious leaders.  Between his teaching and his arrest we find what is called The Small Apocalypse in Chapter 13.  This chapter contains the usual apocalyptic images of terrible things happening in heaven and on earth.  It concludes with a charge to stay alert as we wait for Jesus’ return.  This is followed by the events leading to Jesus burial (the plot against him, the last supper, the betrayal, his arrest, trial, crucifixion and death).

                The final portion of Mark deals with Jesus burial and resurrection.  Joseph of Arimathea, a follower of Jesus, asks for Jesus’ body in order to bury him.  In terms of Jesus’ resurrection, the oldest manuscripts do not contain any reference to it.  Evidently the resurrection account was added at a later date.

1.       What was your favorite part of Mark, and why?

2.       How do you see the church as continuing the Good News of Jesus?

3.           Why do you suppose the earliest copies of Mark do not contain an account of the resurrection?
Week 80 - Read Matthew 1-16
              Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ has come to fulfill the promises of God made in the Old Testament.

                Central Concepts: The first two significant concepts we need to look at in Matthew are that the book is organized around five discourses, each ending with “And when Jesus finished these sayings” and that Matthew warns Christians about the dangers of believing without acting.  According to this Gospel, true faith in Jesus Christ means acting upon that faith in meaningful ways. 

                Brief Summary: Matthew 1:1-4:25 - Unlike Mark, Matthew opens his gospel with careful placement of Jesus within the salvation history of the Jewish people.  We have Jesus named as both a son of David and Abraham, thus laying claim to the promises given to those men.  This text is followed by a genealogy that would make the writer of Numbers proud.  Next, Matthew offers us the virgin birth, the stories of the Wisemen, Herod’s slaughter of the innocents, John the Baptist and Jesus’ temptations complete with Old Testament references in which they are seen as fulfilment of OT promises.  Jesus then begins his ministry by calling his first disciples (Peter, Andrew, James and John), preaching and healing.

                Matthew 5:1-7:29 - We now enter the first discourse, which is more commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount.  In this new giving of the rules for living, Jesus lays out a mandate for living as part of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth).  Jesus begins by offering the Beatitudes as promises of God’s faithfulness, then takes many of the laws (do not murder, etc.) and makes them even stricter (no being angry).  
He warns his followers to be religious for the right and not the wrong reasons (drawing near to God rather than being admired by others).  In this discourse Jesus is very critical of excessive wealth and its power.  He concludes with a warning to focus on him and his teachings rather than the teachings of others. 

                Matthew 8:1-9:38 – Following the first discourse we watch Jesus bringing the Kingdom of heaven to earth.  Jesus demonstrates his power over illness, demons, nature and long term physical ailments.  The conclusion of this section has Jesus healing the woman with the flow of blood, raising a girl from the dead, giving sight to the blind and giving speech to a mute.  Each of these is in fulfillment of end-times predictions in the prophets.

                Matthew 10 – This is the second discourse in which Jesus trains and commissions his followers for their missionary work.  They are to fearlessly proclaim Jesus’ message and are to be loyal to him and him alone.

                Matthew 11:1-12:50 – This portion of the Gospel begins with John the Baptist questioning Jesus’ identity, Jesus answering him and then growing opposition to Jesus and his work.  Jesus contends with the Scribes and Pharisees on several fronts.

                Matthew 13:1-52 – In this, the third discourse, Jesus, using parables and teaches his disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven.  These parables reveal that the Kingdom of heaven is not always received well, grows quickly, is to be valued, and that no one, other than Jesus, can tell who is really a citizen.  

                Matthew 13:53-16:20 – Following the death of John the Baptist, Jesus now begins to engage in actions that demonstrate his true identity as the messiah of God for all people.  He reinterprets portions of the Torah, feeds thousands, provides for Gentiles and is professed as Messiah by Peter.

1.       How does Matthew portray Jesus as the new Moses?

2.       What is your favorite part of the Sermon on the Mount and why?

3.       What do you make of John the Baptist questioning Jesus’ identity as messiah?
Week 81 - Read Matthew 17-28
              Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ has come to fulfill the promises of God made in the Old Testament.

                Central Concepts: The next significant concept in Matthew (see previous article for others) concerns the titles/images used for Jesus.  These include Jesus as the new Moses (note his sermon on the mount mirrors Moses receiving and giving the Law), the Son of God (one who calls God father), Son of David (laying claim to the Kingship not only of Israel but of the world), and Son of Man (the title he uses for himself).  Each of these titles helps to expand our understanding of Matthews’s multifaceted image of Jesus.

                Brief Summary:  Matthew 17 – We begin with the transfiguration which is a pivotal moment in the Gospel.  In a sense it is a baptism for the second half of Jesus’ ministry.  From this point on he will begin preparing his disciples for their future without him physically present.  This preparation is made clear in his second passion prediction.

                Matthew 18-20 – This section is the fourth discourse and focuses on rules for community life.  Jesus teaches on humility, protection of the vulnerable, going after those who lose their way, community discipline, forgiveness, marriage and divorce, and greed.  We hear his third passion prediction and how Jesus’ offering of himself is the example of suffering and service which ought to guide the community.  We see this service lived out in a healing which ends the section.

                Matthew 21-23 – Matthew now turns to Jesus entry into Jerusalem and his confrontation with the religious authorizes.  We become witnesses to Jesus’ overturning the money changers’ tables as he attempts to refocus the meaning of the Temple.  Jesus then offers three parables in which he condemns the religious leaders, conducts four debates about his authority, and then offers a series of pronouncements against Pharisees and teachers of the Law.  This section concludes with his lament over Jerusalem (which will be destroyed in 72 CE).
              Matthew 24-25 – This is the fifth and last discourse.  It is given to his disciples on the Mount of Olives after he had left the Temple.  The first portion of this teaching is Matthew’s semi-apocalyptic vision of the end times and the return of the Son of Man.  This will be a time of great tribulation and judgment.  Jesus continues with teachings about the coming kingdom and why it is important to both watch for it and live a life worthy of it.  We find here Jesus’ famous words about when one feeds the hungry, gives water to the thirsty, etc., one is doing it for Jesus himself.  According to Jesus only those who have served “the least of these” will become part of the kingdom.

                Matthew 26-27 – Matthew now reaches the betrayal, arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus.  This portion of the story begins with Jesus predicting his betrayal and then continues with the religious leaders plotting to kill him, Judas’ willingness to help them, the Last Supper, Jesus’ prediction that all of the disciples would betray him, Jesus’ great prayer, his arrest, trials, scourging, crucifixion and the religious leaders wanting to protect the body from theft.

                Mathew 28- We now arrive at Matthews’s account of the resurrection.  The women are the first witnesses followed by the eleven disciples who meet him in Galilee (his ministry comes full circle).  Jesus’ parting words are his command to go and make disciples of all nations (The Great Commission).

1.       What is your overall impression of Matthew’s Gospel?

2.       What similarities and differences do you find with Mark’s Gospel?

3.       What is the central idea you take away from this Gospel?
Week 82 - Read Luke 1:1 - 9:50
               Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ is the completion of God’s work with Israel and also the beginning of God’s work with the Gentile world.

                Central Concepts: We will look at different central concepts in each of the three lessons covering Luke.  The first concept is that, like both Mark and Matthew, this gospel is not pure history.  It is a theological work which arranges the stories of Jesus in such a way as to deal with particular issues.  Some of these issues include the relationship of Jesus to the church, the church to the synagogue and the church to the wider world; the socio-economic and political implications of the good news; what it means to be a disciple in the world along with (as with the other gospels) attempting to situate Jesus in the salvation history of Israel and the world. 

                Brief Summary:  Luke 1 – 2: These are the infancy and childhood narratives.  Unlike Mark and similarly to Matthew, Luke offers us a theological/historical setting for Jesus’ birth.  Luke begins by offering us the story of barren Elizabeth (similar to barren Sarah and Hannah) who is given an angelic promise that she would have a son (John) who would be a prophet.  The angel next announces to Mary, that though unmarried, she will have a child by the Holy Spirit and this child will be the Son of God.  This designation is confirmed when Mary and Elizabeth (who are cousins) meet.  Mary offers a song which is similar to that of Hannah’s in 1 Samuel.  Luke continues with the “Christmas Story” birth narrative and Jesus’ parent’s then engage in the Jewish rituals of circumcision and a trip to the Temple when Jesus is of appropriate age.  
Included in this portion are two prophetic announcements by Simeon and Anna who make it clear to the readers that Jesus is a light to the world and the one who has come to redeem God’s people.  Luke is the only gospel to include a story about Jesus’ childhood.   
       
  Luke 3:1 – 4:13 Luke moves from the birth and childhood of Jesus to his preparation for ministry.  We begin with the ministry of John the Baptist (just as we began with his conception and birth) which in Luke ends with his imprisonment.  Jesus is introduced (only after John’s arrest) with his genealogy which stretches back not to Abraham, as in Matthew, but to Adam, the first human; thus Jesus represents the new human family.  Jesus is then driven into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit in order to be tested by Satan.  Jesus passes each test by relying on scripture. 

                Luke 4:14 – 9:50 We now enter Jesus’ ministry in Galilee.  It begins with Jesus returning “in power” (which is a significant concept in Luke-Acts) and teaching in the synagogues in Galilee.  In Nazareth, his home town, Jesus defines his ministry as preaching good news to the poor, release to captives, giving sight to the blind, liberty to the oppressed and proclaiming the Jubilee year.  Though the people seem to like him, he offends them, they want to kill him, but he escapes.  The rest of this portion of Luke consists of Jesus fulfilling his stated purpose.  Jesus heals, preaches, forgives sins, does some excellent Rabbinic interpretations of the Sabbath, chooses his followers, teaches with a sermon on the plain (not on the mount) in which he emphasizes care for the marginalized, carries out more healings,  affirms his identity to John the Baptist’s followers by referring them to the results of his ministry, calms the seas, raises a child from the dead, commissions his disciples, is confessed as messiah by Peter, is transfigured, reminds the disciples of his coming death and then instructs them not to interfere with anyone preaching in his name.

1.       What differences do you see between Matthew and Luke thus far in the story?

2.       What do you make of Jesus description of his ministry?  How are we living into that ministry?

3.       How many ways do you see Jesus demonstrating his power in these stories?
Week 83 - Read Luke 9:51-19:48
               Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ is the completion of God’s work with Israel and also the beginning of God’s work with the Gentile world.

                Central Concepts: The second central concept in Luke has to do with Luke’s use of the Old Testament.  Unlike Matthew, who makes sure to refer to the idea of “fulfillment”, Luke either simply uses entire passages of Old Testament scripture without referencing the concept of fulfillment, or he tells stories which are based upon Old Testament stories.  Examples of these can be found in the birth and childhood narratives with Simeon and Anna quoting scripture as if it is their own words and Elizabeth becoming pregnant after being barren just as did Hannah and Sarah. 

                Brief Summary: In the last lesson we focused on Jesus’ birth, childhood and early ministry in Galilee.  We now shift to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem.  This is made clear with the opening line, “When the days drew near for him (Jesus) to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” 

                Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem begins with two great themes of Luke-Acts and those are opposition and commission.  We will watch as Jesus and his followers begin to encounter opposition, both from Jews and Gentiles alike.  At the same time we will see that Jesus commissions seventy of his followers to go out, heal the sick and proclaim that the Kingdom is breaking into the world.  We will also see the continuing education of his disciples.  All of them are to understand they are going out as lambs among the wolves. 

                We next read some of Jesus’s best known stories.  The first is the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a foreigner, a Samaritan, takes pity on and cares for a Jew, who has been beaten and robbed.  Jesus tells the story in response to a question about what it means to love our neighbors.  Since Samaritans and Jews are enemies, Jesus teaches that our neighbor is anyone in need
This is followed by the Mary and Martha story in which Jesus declares that listening to him is more important than the niceties of hosting guests. Jesus then teaches on prayer, including what we refer to as The Lord’s Prayer.  Opposition to Jesus becomes more pronounced when Jesus is accused of being possessed by Satan, of not following the Law and when after a dinner confrontation with some Pharisees many of them plot to catch Jesus in some religious misstep.

                The crowds however continue to grow around Jesus.  He teaches them and encourages the disciples at the same time.  One of the main foci of his teaching is that of watchfulness.  The disciples and the crowds are warned to always be prepared for the return of God’s Kingdom and its ensuing judgment.  This is followed by more oft-referred to stories including the Prodigal Son, the dishonest steward, Lazarus and the rich man, the dishonest judge and the Pharisee and the tax collector.  Luke includes here Jesus blessing the children, a call to serve the poor and Jesus’ eating with Zacchaeus, the tax collector. 

                The last leg of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem focuses on his triumphal entry.  Jesus commands a couple of his disciples to go and find a colt that had not yet been ridden upon and bring it to him.  Jesus rides this colt into Jerusalem while his disciples and the crowds call him the King who comes in the name of the Lord.  The Pharisees object to this proclamation and Jesus tells them that if the people did not say it, the very stones would.  We conclude with Jesus’ pronouncement of the pending destruction of Jerusalem, his overturning the money changers tables in the Temple yet teaching there afterwards.

1.       Which of the stories in this section is your favorite?

2.       How might we be watchful?

3.       Why do you suppose Jesus overturns the money changers’ tables?
Week 84 - Read Luke 20-28
               Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ is the completion of God’s work with Israel and also the beginning of God’s work with the Gentile world.

                Central Concepts: The third central concept in Luke has to do with Luke’s care for the poor and marginalized.  We see this in several places.  First Luke references the poor directly.  In the Lucan beatitudes Jesus speaks of “Blessed are the poor” rather than “Blessed are the poor in Spirit” as in Matthew.  .  Jesus himself, as he begins his ministry states that he is proclaiming good news to the economically poor as well as the coming of the year of Jubilee in which all debts are canceled.  Second we have less obvious references such as in the Magnificat, Mary’s song, where Mary speaks of God having brought down the mighty and lifted the lowly or when Jesus tells his disciples that when they give a feast they should invite the “poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind.” 

                Brief Summary:  The first section of Luke took us from Jesus’ infancy to his ministry in Galilee.  The second section focused on Jesus’ journey to and entry into Jerusalem.  This section takes us from his teaching in the Temple to his resurrection.  The tension in this final portion of Luke becomes immediately apparent when Jesus is confronted by the religious leaders who demand to know by whose authority he is teaching.  Jesus replies with his own question to them about John the Baptist.  They refuse to answer and so does Jesus.  Though the leadership wishes to arrest him immediately, they do not do so because the crowd is on his side.  We then witness the leaders attempting to trap Jesus into a position that will either turn the crowd or the government against him.  Jesus however eludes their traps.

                At this point, Jesus offers his apocalyptic vision for the coming doom of the Temple and the return of the Son of Man.  This comes with a warning that the people need to pay attention because it is too easy to be concerned with day to day life and the miss the signs of what God is doing.  Jesus’ popularity continues to grow and people come to listen to him teach in the Temple.
               Luke now shifts to the upper room, the Last Supper and the betrayal.   We are told that Satan entered Judas and caused him to conspire with the religious leaders to hand Jesus over to them.  This sets the scene for Jesus’ words concerning his coming suffering.  He knows that Judas has betrayed him yet makes it clear that this is God’s plan.  The disciples, being completely oblivious to Jesus discussion of sacrifice, argue about who is the greatest and Jesus reminds them that the servant is above all. The meal concludes with Jesus telling Peter that Peter will deny Jesus and Jesus insuring his followers are armed.

                Jesus and the disciples then go to the Mount of Olives where Jesus is arrested and taken to the priest’s house, where Peter denies knowing him.  Jesus is presented to Caiaphas, then to Pilate, next to Herod and then is sent back to Pilate.  Pilate wants to release him but the crowd cries out that they want Jesus crucified. Pilate then sentences Jesus to death.  On his way to the cross Simon of Cyrene helps to carry the cross.  Jesus is crucified between two criminals and after he dies his body is given to Joseph of Arimathea who was a member of the Jewish Council but did not consent to Jesus’ death.

                Luke has three resurrection accounts.  The first is to the women who are told of Jesus’ resurrection by the angels.  The second is to two disciples on the way to Emmaus.  The third is to all of the disciples as they were gathered in Jerusalem.  Luke concludes his gospel by having the disciples watch as Jesus ascends to heaven.

1.       What do you think of Jesus’ chastisement of the Pharisees?

2.       What do you think about Jesus asking the disciples to take swords with them?

3.       What stands out for you in the crucifixion and resurrection stories in Luke?
Week 85 - Read John 1-12
               Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ is the incarnation of God (the Word) who has come to earth to bring the fullness of life as only the Living God can give it.

                Central Concepts: In this section John writes about The Word.  The origin of The Word is based in the Old Testament understanding of the word of the Lord.  First, in Genesis we witness God speaking creation into being.    Second, in the prophets people are given the word of the Lord which challenges and shapes their character.  Thus when John speaks of Jesus as The Word, John is referring to Jesus not only as the very presence of God (the Word was God) but also as God creating a new world (all things were made/remade through the Word).

                Brief Summary:  This portion of John is called the Book of Signs.  Look for the use of the word “signs” in many of the stories.  These are signs that the Word is at work in the world.

                Prologue (1:1-1:18) – John opens his Gospel with Jesus’ “history” going back not only to the beginning of his ministry (Mark), or to Abraham (Matthew), or even to Adam (Luke) but to eternity.  Jesus as the Word was in the beginning with God and was part of the process of creating the world.

                Jesus and John the Baptist (1:19-1:51) – John makes it clear that the Baptist understood who Jesus was and testified to Jesus as the Lamb of God/Son of God.  This declaration leads one of the Baptist’s disciples, Andrew, to go and get his brother Peter and bring him to Jesus, the messiah.  Jesus then finds and calls Phillip who finds Nathaniel and invites him to meet Jesus as well.  Nathaniel then declares that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel.  This Gospel makes clear distinctions between those who know Jesus for who he is and those who don’t.
                Jesus and Jewish Institutions (2-4) – Each of these stories deals with a sacred institution in Judaism.  We begin with Jesus turning water into wine (wedding), but then going to Jerusalem where he overturns the money changers’ tables (Temple).  We meet Nicodemus who is confused as to Jesus’ identity (leader of the Jewish Sanhedrin).  In their conversation we read the famous John 3:16, for God so loved the world statement.  This encounter is followed by Jesus’ speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well (a well sacred to Jews and Samaritans) and her conversion (note that in John outsiders are more easily converted than Jewish insiders).  We conclude with a healing as a sign.

                Jesus and Jewish Festivals (5-10) – Having worked with sacred institutions, John now turns his attention to the great sacred festivals in Judaism.  John begins with an incident concerning Jesus and a healing on the Sabbath.  Next Jesus refers to himself as the bread of life which is replacing the bread used at Passover.  The next festival is that of Tabernacles.  On that holiday there are ceremonies focused on water and light.  Jesus declares himself as the source of living water and the light of the world.  In addition, in this portion of John we have the story of the woman caught in adultery.

                Jesus Moves Toward his Death (11-12) – John initiates this section with the story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (foreshadowing of Jesus’ own death and resurrection).  This is followed by the religious leaders deciding that Jesus must die “for the nation.”  Jesus is then anointed (as for burial) by Lazarus’ sister Mary.  John concludes this section with the triumphal entry and Jesus’ hiding from the authorities until he was ready to give up his life.

1.       What do you make of the differences in chronology between John and the other gospels?

2.       Which of the “I Am” sayings do you like best and why?

3.       How do you understand Jesus to be both human and divine?
Week 86 - Read John 13-20
              Key Concepts: The key concept in this book is that Jesus the Christ is the incarnation of God (the Word) who has come to earth to bring the fullness of life as only the Living God can give it.

                Central Concepts: Before we leave the Gospel of John we need to spend a few minutes looking at John’s use of the term, “the Jews.”  John uses the term “the Jews” to describe those who opposed Jesus and called for his death.  Unfortunately John’s treatment of the Jews has been used as the basis of anti-Semitism since Christianity became the major religion in the Roman Empire.  In dealing with this term we need to remember three things: first that Jesus and all of the disciples were Jewish, second that John’s community had been evicted from the synagogues because of their faith in Jesus and third that in John everything is black and white, either or, which means that those who opposed Jesus are described as being evil.  The view of John is not held by the other gospels or by the Apostle Paul. 

                Brief Summary:  This portion of John is called the Book of Glory because it records Jesus’ last few days including his crucifixion and resurrection.

                Foot Washing (13:1-13:30) – The second half of the book opens with an example of Jesus’ teaching on humility and servanthood.  He acts like a servant, washes the disciples’ feet and commands them to do likewise. 

                Jesus’ Final Discourse (13:31-17:26) – The gospel continues with a detailed description of Jesus’ closing words to the disciples in the upper room.  Jesus begins with a “new commandment” that they love one another.  He continues to prepare them for his departure by telling them not to fear because he will return and bring them to himself.  This includes the famous statement; I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Jesus then tells them that they will not be alone but that he will send the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, to be with them.  
The disciples are reminded to abide in Jesus (he is the vine and they are to be the branches); to bear fruit by showing love for one another; and to prepare themselves for persecution.  The disciples respond that they finally understand what Jesus is all about. The section concludes with the great pastoral prayer of Jesus where he prays for himself, the disciples and the coming church.

                The Passion Narrative (18-19) – John’s description of Jesus’ arrest is very different from any of the other gospels.  In it Jesus is in total control of the situation.  The soldiers who come to take him fall to the ground when Jesus announces that he is the one they seek.  Only with Jesus’ permission can they arrest him.  Peter tries to defend him by using a sword, but Jesus tells him to put it away. Jesus’ arrest is followed by his being taken to the religious authorities as well as Peter’s denial of Jesus.  When Jesus is finally brought before Pilate it is “the Jews” who tell him to put Jesus to death.  Pilate and Jesus have an extended conversation in which Pilate utters the famous line, “What is truth?”  When Pilate wants to release him, “the Jews” insist on crucifixion.  Jesus is crucified and his body is taken away by Joseph of Arimathea and anointed by Nicodemus (who becomes the model for Jewish conversion).

                Resurrection (20-21) – John’s account of the resurrection has two disciples coming to the empty tomb on the word of Mary Magdalene, Mary meeting Jesus in the garden, Jesus appearing to the disciples and giving the Holy Spirit (John’s version of Pentecost), the story of doubting Thomas, Jesus appearing on the beach and eating with the disciples and finally a question and answer session with Peter which restores his relationship with Jesus.

1.       Which of Jesus’ “I am” statements do you like best and why?

2.       How do you try and live out in our life Jesus’ call to love and serve?

3.       How do you reconcile the varying resurrection accounts?