Musings about Faith

Jesus’ ministry is now over.   The Incarnation, the en-fleshing of God is also coming to an end as Jesus moves from the last supper to the garden where he will be arrested and the events of the Passion will begin to unfold.   Before this though Jesus has performed one more sign and then interpreted this sign for his disciples.   In many ways this final sign – the foot washing – brings together all of the other signs along with Jesus’ entire ministry.   This sign helps us all to see that it all comes down to one thing: LOVE.   Earlier in the Gospel we had met Nicodemus who was struggling to understand what in the world Jesus was doing.   Jesus told him – “God loves the world so much that those who believe, those who are in relationship with God will remain – will Abide – in this love of God’s forever!”   Now the sign, the foot-washing, is a sign of this love that Jesus, God en-fleshed has for the disciples and for the world.   “A new commandment I...

What’s it all about?   This question is sometimes asked of these 3 chapters in John – 14, 15 and 16 – which are called the Farewell Discourse.   What’s it all about?   Jesus washing the feet of the disciples at the last supper?   What’s it all about?   Jesus going to crucifixion, death, burial and then resurrection.   What’s it all about?   Let’s start here: “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end… Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe and tied a robe around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him…”   This amazingly shocking incident occurs during the last meal that Jesus shares with his disciples and this act of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples demonstrates unconditional love in a way the disciples have never, ever experienced before.   It also demonstrates to us an overwhelming love and c...

Well in our exploration of the Gospel of John we have now entered into the Book of Glory and left the Book of Signs behind.   To review where we have been: Chapters 2-11 took place over a time period of 3 years; they contained 7 signs, several encounters and discourses or teachings.   Chapter 12 leads us from the final dramatic sign of Jesus raising Lazarus through Jesus’ anointing and entrance into Jerusalem.   The Book of Glory, beginning in chapter 13 and running through the end of the Gospel in chapter 21 will give us the final 3 days of Jesus’ life, including the last supper, the final discourse or teaching to the disciples, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, resurrection and resurrection appearances.   And in this final section we will experience God’s Grace upon Grace in a way that we have not experienced it before - namely God giving God’s self completely for the beloved creation – The Incarnate, enfleshed God crucified on the cross and then defeating t...

For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act—they will be blessed in their doing. If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. When you look into the mirror what do you see?   Do you see a reflection?   Of what?   Do you see yourself honestly?   We do spend a lot of time looking in the mirror I think, and I am not just referring to the actual time we spend looking in the mirror, which for some of us might actually be a fair amount of time.   I am also speak...