Reading for February 2nd

 THE WAY OF THE INCARNATE WORD IN THE WORLD

In 1.19-12.50: The public ministry of Jesus was divided into two parts: the search for the incarnate Word (1.19-4.54); and the rejection of the incarnate Word (5.1-12.50). 

Read John 1.19-34. In 1.19-4.54: The search for the Incarnate Word (messiah) is portrayed by a sequence of scenes. In 1.19-28: John's witness to the Jews. In response to the priests and Levites (1.19, 24) John reveals his role and that of the messiah. The Jerusalem leadership will come to oppose Jesus; here they are faithful Jews awaiting the messiah. In verse 20: John answers the question, "Are you the Christ?" (1.41). In verse 21: First century messianic expectations were complex (compare Mark 6.14-16; 8.27-30). In verse 21-23: Isa 40.3 ( see Mk 1.3). John is the witness to the coming one (see 1.7). In verses 26-27: Water baptism contrasts with baptism of the Spirit (see Mk 1.8) explained in the next scene (1.33), but this does not answer the question. The coming one is among them but remains unknown; the hiddenness of the messiah accords with Jewish teaching. In verse 28:The location of this Bethany is unknown; contrast the Bethany of 11.1; 12.1. In verses 29-34: John's witness to Jesus. The Jews from Jerusalem are no longer present. The audience for John's words is the reader. In verse 29: John does not baptize Jesus or speak to him. Lamb of God: Lambs were not used as sin offering, but the Gospel associates Jesus with the Passover lamb (19.14, 36). Also see Isa 53.7. In verse 30: See 1.15, 27. In verse 33: His water baptism is the sign that would reveal the coming one to Israel. Spirit descend: The other Gospels (see Mk 1.10) describe this as part of Jesus' baptism; here it is the sign that makes him known. In verse 34: Son of God, a Johannine phrase, replaces Lamb of God. Comments or Questions..