RBWords

     The Gospel According to John has a different time-line than the other three.  The three "synoptic" gospels envision a single year's ministry beginning in Galilee and ending in Jerusalem.  The Gospel According to John presents a ministry of roughly three years because Jesus goes to Jerusalem at least three times for the Passover [Ch. 2, 7 and 12].   The second time is featured in today's gospel and it is clear that Jesus is already controversial because he had created chaos in the temple with his "cleansing" in chapter two and because he didn't fit certain scriptural expectations regarding a messiah's origin.  This time, the chief priests and Pharisees try to send guards to arrest him and they come back empty-handed.  When asked why, they respond with the words I quote above: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man!"  Indeed, Nicodemus, who appeared earlier at night in chapter three, shows the growth in his faith by speaking up somewhat timidly in favor of Jesus.

     What do we think?  Is Jesus controversial to us?  As long as we keep him on the cross and believe in the resurrection, is that sufficient?  What about his teachings, especially in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) or the parable of the Last Judgment (Matt. 25:31-45) or the parables in Luke (Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son, Rich Man and Lazarus)  or on the Eucharist in John 6?  Some very strong cultural and political currents in the USA would find themselves severely challenged by Jesus' teachings.  Indeed, there appears to be denial or ignorance on the part of many Christians that those teachings apply to them in everyday cultural and political life!  Preachers who mention these teachings and how they run counter to popular cultural and political beliefs will find themselves in hot water for "preaching politics!"  These preachers will be in good company because Jesus was similarly accused.  The temple guards had it right. "Never before has anyone spoken like this man."  Are we listening?  AMEN