March 25th, 2017

​This is probably my most favorite time of the three-year series. Essentially all four accounts are taken into account when you look at some of the interactions that Jesus has in the Gospel according to John. I've mentioned before the wide variety that we have, from a ruler of the Jews in chapter 3 (Nicodemus), to a Samaritan woman who was married five times in chapter 4. What's interesting is that both of them eventually stand up for what they believe. Later in the book, Nicodemus speaks up for Jesus to the other Pharisees, and later in chapter 4, the woman speaks up for Jesus to the others in the town, and the text says that 'many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony (v. 39)'.

The next set of interactions could be considered chapter 5 with the man who couldn't walk for many years and chapter 9 with the man born blind; that set of people also has some extremes. Is there a connection between sin and problems on earth? In chapter 5 (verse 14), Jesus says, "See you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you." In chapter 9, Jesus insists that neither this man sinned, nor his parents, to have something like this happen, "but that the works of God might be displayed in him (verse 3)."

These two men also end up standing up for Jesus. In both of these healings, Jesus heals on the Sabbath, and people weren't supposed to work on that day. Jesus gets into some serious trouble both times, but he's okay with that. He's also okay with the two men standing up for him. He even takes the trouble to find them later. The man in chapter 9 ends up worshiping him, and that's the only time that happens in this account.

The first three accounts, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and quite similar, and there are a few ways that they could be considered a set. With that perspective, it's interesting to get these detailed conversations with these wide ranges of people in the fourth account.

I also find it interesting that the use of the word 'answer' or 'reply' is different in this fourth account. In the previous accounts it could be considered a secondary verb. Often times the person, 'answering, said...' In this structure, the main verb is 'to say'. But in the fourth account, to answer or respond is predominantly the main verb.

How does one 'answer', 'reply', or 'respond' to Jesus? That's a great question. And that's one we continually will have to answer.

As a side point, I don't think that the fourth account uses 'the Jews' as a negative thing. Some Jews turn around and believe in him. Some Jews, sadly, don't. It's pretty much the same thing in Acts.

Whether it's one or one thousand who end up following, it's still an interesting story. And we still can ask questions and receive some answers. And the wonderful story will certainly continue.