Day 30: The Blind Man, The Good Shepherd, Lazarus

These three chapters are so full that it seems a shame to have to read them all in one day.  In fact, I'm feeling that a lot while I'm reading John:  there are some single verses that I'd like to mull over for a long time, instead of having to hurry on through to the next portion.

I have to say, I like the extended stories in John:  the woman at the well, the man born blind, the story of Mary and Martha and Lazarus.  There's a lot of character development in these stories, and a lot of little details to pay attention to.  For example, notice that by the time the blind man goes and obeys Jesus and comes back, Jesus is already gone.  He doesn't actually see Jesus until about the end of Chapter 9. 

The basic testimony of the man born blind remains the same throughout, and it's very simple, "I was blind, and now I see." 

The story of the raising of Lazarus as well has many small details, from Thomas' brave statement, "let us go, that we may die with him," to Martha's objection to Jesus opening the tomb, "Lord, there will be a stench!"  And in the middle, there's the simple sentence, "Jesus wept."  Jesus is often portrayed in John's gospel as so God-like; he seems to know everything and be unmoved by the prospect of his own suffering.  And yet, here in John chapter 11, He simply weeps. 

In the middle Jesus calls himself both the gate and the Good Shepherd, the Good Shepherd who leads people out to good pasture and leads people in to the safe refuge.   Jesus as shepherd calls his own by name -- but not just to gather them in.  He also leads them out.

The question is: when he calls the sheep by name, where is he leading them?

There are many places in John's gospel where he calls people by name.  In John 11, he calls "Lazarus, Come out!"  Later on, He will say, simply, "Mary." 

Now, as chapter 11 closes, Jesus is under fire, not because he over-turned tables in the temple, but because he raised Lazarus from the dead.  Caiaphas prophecies (without knowing it) that Jesus death is necessary.  But what does this mean?

To be continued....