The Rivers of Living Water
We've been following Jesus's Red Letters chronologically for quite some time. Most of that journey, up to this point has been chronicled in the Matthew, Mark and Luke. Chronologically, The Red Letters Follow the Mission Pattern. Jesus’ ministry moves from: Public proclamation (Galilee) to Growing opposition to Private Instruction of disciples to Passion and fulfillment. If you're wondering why we haven't heard much from the Gospel of John - you're noticing something that was intentional (not by us but by the Gospels themselves).
Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Synoptic Gospels — do indeed preserve far more of Jesus’ early Galilean ministry, including a greater volume of spoken teaching (red letters) during that phase, than John does. John concentrated red-letter density appears in the final phase to interpret the cross, resurrection, and the identity of Christ. As it turns out, roughly half of John’s Gospel (John 12–21) is devoted to the final week, the cross, and the resurrection. And that is the phase we are approaching. Expect to hear a lot more from John from this point forward.
As I studied, I'm beginning to realize that John is asking us to slow down, not to speed up. I entered today's podcast preparation with greater intention, to cover a larger number of verses. Well, that didn't happen! I got through three verses in John 7. Verses 37-39.
You get so much for so little. Reflecting on three verses in scripture today and my own journey: You know, I listened to the Bible in a year podcast earlier in my Christian journey. In fact, it was one of the first things I ever did when I decided (as an atheist then mind you) that I could not have an intelligent discussion unless I could see both sides. Well, that and a few other adventures in biblical study and here I am - a hard-core, podcasting, dedicated Christian disciple and I will never go back.
This Bible, these 66 books, are not meant to be read once. You might get a notch on your halo if you have ever read, or listened to the Bible, once. You might get another notch if you consumed the Bible in a year. I must have another notch because I completed it in 3 months! And still, since that first reading, I have been reading and listening to everything I can get my hands on. In all of that reading, through all those books and commentaries, I've found the most peace just sitting on the page and pondering.
I did not expect this red-letter journey to be what it is becoming for me. As I continue, I feel like I've been right there, all along. the 13th disciple! Let's make it the 14th. I don't like that number. And now, I'm detecting that the red-letters are slowing down. The first 3 years, largely covered in the synoptic gospels were historical - weaving through the story of Jesus. As we move into the last year, the Gospel of John plays a much bigger role and he's going to get you to slow down, not speed up. This isn't a race through the Bible - as impatient as I am at times. I'm letting the Bible guide the pace.
So, today, we jump into John 7 verses 37, 38 and 39. Try to picture this scene in your head (we'll describe it for you in the podcast). Consider all the symbols associated with the Festival of Booths - especially as we zoom on in that one particular ceremony - the water drawing ceremony. Go back and read the three verses. And then, instead of meditating on the words, think about the scene as it must have looked. That's what John wants to leave you with. In your mind, be the director in this short movie clip. Jesus in standing in the midst of huge, and for the most part ritualistic, even rehearsed, festival and he interrupts their legalistic pattern of ceremony to say, HEY! PAY ATTENTION! LOOK AT WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING!!!
Notes for the Rivers of Living Waters
Episode Link:
https://www.rabbitholesandmeditations.com/the-rivers-of-living-water/
