John 19:23-27
John notes what transpired with the soldiers and Jesus’ clothing. This further underscores that those directly responsible for the action in these events are unwittingly part of a greater drama, since there is here a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18.
In contrast to the callousness of the four soldiers there are four faithful women standing by.
Perhaps for those of us who have been part of recent discussion about the Da Vinci Code book and movie, there is a footnote here that the church Jesus was establishing was in no way intended to be so partriarchal as it turned out to be.
At any rate, as I just let these few verses soak in a bit, the word that floats to the surface for me is “treasure,” a treasure undiminished by the soldiers, and pointed to in the sense of passing on of responsibility for the sharing of light and truth, present in the faithful ones standing by the cross.
Prayer:
Lord, we confess that we demean you when we become preoccupied with the various forms of clothing we put the Gospel in. Help me to treasure and live and grown in the treasure at the heart of everything, the reality your transforming presence in Jesus Christ. Amen.
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4 comments:
who are the "four faithful women standing by?" I count 3 women and 1 man. Here are the three women:
Near the cross of Jesus stood:
1. his mother,
2. his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,
3. and Mary Magdalene.
And isn't this the disciple John?
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother."
Yes, the disciple would seem to be John.
There is no way to be sure, but I'm inclined to see the women as
1. his mother,
2. his mother's sister (unnamed, just as Jesus' mother is never mentioned by name in John)
3. Mary the wife of Clopas
4. Mary Magdalene
This count rests on the unlikelihood that Mary's sister would also be called Mary. Also, why would John feel it necessary to further identify the sister of the mother of Jesus?
But I've been wrong before!
ahhh. thank you. i must remember to wake up before i drive on the internet ;)
very useful read. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did any one learn that some chinese hacker had busted twitter yesterday again.
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