Moments with the Gospel Series.
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Moments with the Gospel Series Icon. |
Good Friday.
Reflection on the Gospel of John – The Passion
Section 1: The Narrative Approach – Scenes of
the Passion
Introduction to the Narrative Approach
St. John's Passion account presents Jesus as the sovereign
King who willingly lays down His life. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, John’s
narrative emphasizes Jesus' control over events, His fulfillment of prophecy,
and the deeper spiritual realities unfolding through His suffering. By walking
through these key scenes, we will immerse ourselves in the emotions, drama, and
flow of events, understanding how each moment contributes to the larger Gospel
message.
John 18:2 highlights that Judas knew the place because
Jesus often met there with His disciples. This adds emotional weight to the
scene—the garden of fellowship and prayer becomes the place of betrayal. The
contrast between intimacy and treachery deepens the drama of this moment.
Scene 1: The Arrest of Jesus (John 18:1-11)
The tension is palpable as Jesus leads His disciples into
the garden. The stillness of the night is shattered by the arrival of armed
soldiers and officials. One might expect fear or hesitation from Jesus, but
instead, He steps forward with unwavering authority. “Whom do you seek?”
His voice rings out, and at His words, “I AM,” the soldiers stumble and
fall.
The moment is charged with drama—this is no ordinary
arrest. Jesus is not caught off guard; He is in complete control. Even as
Peter, driven by impulse, lashes out with a sword, Jesus commands him to stop,
accepting the cup given to Him by the Father.
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: John paints
Jesus as the divine Son who surrenders willingly. Unlike the other
Gospels, there is no agony in the garden—only authority, purpose, and
divine foreknowledge.
- Emotional Impact: The contrast between Jesus' calm and
the chaos around Him invites us to trust in His sovereignty, even in
moments of fear and uncertainty.
Scene 2: Trial Before Pilate (John 18:12-40;
19:1-16)
Jesus is dragged from one authority to another—first to
Annas, then to Caiaphas, and finally to Pilate. The weight of injustice hangs
thick in the air. Inside the palace, Pilate and Jesus engage in one of the most
profound conversations in Scripture. Jesus speaks of His kingdom, not of this
world, while Pilate, trapped by political pressure, struggles between truth and
expediency.
The crowd outside roars for blood. Pilate, grasping for a
way out, offers to release Jesus, but the people choose Barabbas instead. The
irony is unbearable—the innocent One is condemned while the guilty walks free.
Pilate’s infamous question, “What is truth?”, lingers unanswered, and he
ultimately surrenders Jesus to be crucified.
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: John highlights
Jesus’ kingship. Even in the face of condemnation, He is the one who
defines truth, not Pilate.
- Emotional Impact: The feeling of injustice, Pilate’s
cowardice, and the crowd’s blindness force us to reflect—do we recognize
Jesus as our King, or do we let fear and pressure dictate our response?
Scene 3: Jesus Carries His Cross (John 19:17)
There is no mention of Simon of Cyrene in John’s Gospel.
Jesus alone carries His Cross. The weight of the wood presses against His torn
flesh, yet He presses forward, step by step, towards the place of execution.
The scene is stark, stripped of unnecessary details. The
silence is deafening—no words, no lamentation, just Jesus, bearing the burden
alone.
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: John’s emphasis
on Jesus as the Lamb of God continues—He alone must bear the sacrifice.
- Emotional Impact: The solitary nature of this moment
compels us to consider our own crosses. Are we willing to follow Jesus,
even when the path is lonely?
John 19:19-22 describes Pilate’s inscription:
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." When the chief priests
protest, Pilate refuses to change it. Ironically, Pilate affirms Jesus’
kingship, even if unintentionally. This
highlights how Jesus truly is King, but not in the way they expect—His kingdom
is not of this world (John 18:36).
Scene 4: The Crucifixion (John 19:18-27)
The hammering of nails. The gasps of pain. The mocking
voices. The King of the Universe is lifted up between two criminals, His arms
stretched wide in an embrace of suffering. Above Him, Pilate’s inscription
declares in multiple languages: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
The chief priests protest, but Pilate refuses to change it.
Meanwhile, Mary and the Beloved Disciple stand at the foot
of the Cross. In the midst of suffering, love remains. Jesus, in His final
moments, ensures that His mother is cared for, entrusting her to John. Even in
agony, His love is unwavering.
John 19:19-22 describes Pilate’s inscription: "Jesus
of Nazareth, King of the Jews." When the chief priests protest, Pilate
refuses to change it. In this way, Pilate affirms Jesus’ kingship, perhaps
unintentionally or it may have been his ways of stating his position. This highlights how Jesus truly is King, but
not in the way they expect—His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: The Crucifixion
is not a defeat but an enthronement. Jesus reigns from the Cross,
fulfilling the Scriptures.
- Emotional Impact: The sorrow of Mary, the unbearable
pain of watching Love Himself suffer, draws us into the depths of Christ’s
sacrifice.
Scene 5: The Death of Jesus (John 19:28-37)
“I thirst.” A simple yet profound
statement. Jesus, the source of living water, now parched in His final moments.
He drinks, then speaks His last words: “It is finished.” With that, He
bows His head and gives up His spirit.
The earth does not quake in John’s account. Instead, a
soldier pierces Jesus’ side, and blood and water flow out—a moment rich in
meaning, symbolizing the birth of the Church through Baptism and the Eucharist.
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: The Cross is
not just suffering but fulfillment. Jesus completes His mission and ushers
in new life.
- Emotional Impact: The stillness of death, the finality
of His sacrifice, calls us to contemplate—do we believe in the power of
His finished work?
John 19:41 mentions that Jesus was buried in a garden,
evoking Genesis—just as the first Adam was placed in a garden, so too is Jesus,
the new Adam. This symbolizes the new creation, as Christ's resurrection will
bring redemption and renewal to the world.
Scene 6: The Burial of Jesus (John 19:38-42)
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, once secret disciples,
now step into the light. Their courage contrasts with the disciples who have
fled. They anoint Jesus' body with costly spices and lay Him in a new tomb.
The scene is quiet, reverent. Hope is hidden beneath the
stone, waiting to be revealed.
- How This Contributes to John’s Gospel: John subtly
hints at the Resurrection—this is not the end but a beginning.
- Emotional Impact: The sorrow of burial, the waiting of
Holy Saturday, reminds us that even in silence, God is working.
John’s Passion is a journey of paradox—humiliation and
glory, suffering and triumph, rejection and love. This section invites us to
walk through the Passion with fresh eyes, experiencing the drama, sorrow, and
profound beauty of Christ’s sacrifice.
As we move to explore the themes and characters of John’s
Passion in the next sections, may we allow this story to shape our hearts,
drawing us closer to the One who gave everything for us.
Section 2: The Thematic Approach – Key
Spiritual and Theological Themes
Introduction to the Thematic Approach
While Section 1 walked us through the narrative and
emotional journey of John’s Passion, this section invites us to step back and
explore its spiritual and theological depth. St. John’s account is filled with
profound themes that extend beyond the immediate events, revealing Jesus’
mission, His identity, and His role in the story of salvation. Each theme helps
us to understand the Passion in a deeper way, moving beyond historical events
into the eternal truths they reveal.
This section will focus on six key theological and
spiritual themes found in John’s Passion:
- Jesus as the Sovereign King – Christ’s authority, even
in suffering
- The Fulfillment of Scripture – John’s emphasis on
prophecy
- Love and Self-Giving – The Passion as the ultimate act
of love
- Light vs. Darkness – The battle between truth and
deception
- New Creation and Redemption – The Passion as the dawn
of something new
- The Role of Witnesses – The responses of those who
encountered Christ
Each theme will be examined through the lens of John’s
Gospel, uncovering the deeper spiritual realities at work.
Theme 1: Jesus as the Sovereign King
From the moment of His arrest to His final breath, John
presents Jesus as a King—not one who is overpowered, but one who chooses to lay
down His life. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, John’s Jesus does not cry out in
agony in Gethsemane. Instead, He steps forward with authority, declaring, “I
AM” (John 18:5), causing His captors to fall to the ground.
Before Pilate, Jesus does not plead for His life but speaks
with calm authority: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).
Even on the Cross, He reigns, fulfilling the inscription above Him: “Jesus
of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19). The Crucifixion in John is not
just suffering; it is an enthronement.
- Spiritual Reflection: In moments of suffering, do we
recognize Christ’s sovereignty? Do we trust that He is in control even
when all seems lost?
Theme 2: The Fulfilment of Scripture
John meticulously highlights how every aspect of Jesus’
Passion fulfils Old Testament prophecy. From the unbroken bones of Jesus (John
19:36, fulfilling Exodus 12:46) to the casting of lots for His garments (John
19:24, fulfilling Psalm 22:18), everything happens according to God’s plan.
John even tells us explicitly: “These things took place
that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 19:36). This is not an
accident or a tragic event—this is the divine plan unfolding, foretold
centuries before.
- Spiritual Reflection: Do we trust that God is working
in our own lives, even when we cannot see the full picture?
Theme 3: Love and Self-Giving
At the heart of John’s Passion is love. Jesus is not merely
enduring suffering; He is pouring Himself out completely. From washing the
disciples’ feet at the Last Supper (John 13) to entrusting Mary to John at the
Cross (John 19:26-27), every moment radiates self-giving love.
Jesus’ final words: “It is finished” (John
19:30)—are not words of despair but of completion. He has given everything.
Love has been fully revealed.
- Spiritual Reflection: How do we imitate Christ’s
self-giving love? Are we willing to lay down our lives in small ways for
others?
Theme 4: Light vs. Darkness
From the beginning of John’s Gospel, we are introduced to
the contrast between light and darkness (John 1:5). This theme reaches its
climax in the Passion. Judas, who betrays Jesus, leaves the Last Supper and “it
was night” (John 13:30). The world chooses darkness over light.
Pilate, too, is caught between truth and fear. Jesus tells
him, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37),
but Pilate does not listen. The people cry, “We have no king but Caesar”
(John 19:15), rejecting the true Light.
In John 19:7, the religious leaders state, "He must
die because He made Himself the Son of God." Ironically, they unknowingly proclaim the
truth they refuse to accept.
This fits into John’s theme of light vs. darkness as they
stand before the Light of the World yet remain blind to the truth.
Yet even in the darkness of the Cross, light shines. The
Passion is not the end but the beginning of redemption.
- Spiritual Reflection: Do we walk in the light of
Christ, or do we allow fear and the pressures of the world to lead us into
darkness?
John’s Passion echoes Genesis and the creation story. Jesus
dies on the sixth day, just as God finished His work of creation on the sixth
day (Genesis 1:31). When He dies, He does not merely give up His spirit—He
hands it over (John 19:30), ushering in a new era.
From His side, blood and water flow (John 19:34), just as
Eve was taken from Adam’s side. This is the birth of the Church, the Bride of
Christ.
The Passion is not the end—it is a new beginning, leading
to the Resurrection and the re-creation of all things.
- Spiritual Reflection: Do we recognize that Christ’s
Passion is not only about His suffering but about making all things new,
including our own hearts?
Theme 6: The Role of Witnesses
John’s Gospel pays special attention to those who witnessed
the Passion. Some, like Judas, chose to reject Christ. Others, like Peter,
failed but found redemption. Some, like Pilate, were torn between truth and
fear. And then there were those who remained faithful to the end—Mary, the
Beloved Disciple, and the women at the Cross.
John 19:34 describes blood and water flowing from Jesus’
side, symbolizing Eucharist and Baptism. John immediately follows this with his
own eyewitness testimony (John 19:35), reinforcing the significance of this
moment. His insistence on the truthfulness of his account gives this sign even
greater spiritual and historical weight.
The Passion forces a decision: How will we respond? Will we
stand at a distance, or will we stand at the foot of the Cross?
- Spiritual Reflection: In our own lives, do
we witness to Christ? Do we stay with Him, even in difficult moments?
John’s Passion account is a theological masterpiece, rich
with meaning that extends beyond the historical events. This section has
explored its major themes—Christ’s Kingship, the fulfillment of Scripture,
love, light and darkness, new creation, and the role of witnesses—each
revealing the depth of God’s plan.
As we move forward to Section 3, we will take an even
closer look at the key figures in John’s Passion, reflecting on their choices
and what they reveal about our own faith journey.
Section 3: The Character-Centred Approach Key Figures in John’s Passion
Introduction.
We will examine key figures in John’s Passion:
1. Jesus – The Willing Sacrifice
2. Judas – Betrayal and Lost Opportunity
3. Peter – Fear, Denial, and Redemption
4. Pilate – The Struggle Between Truth and Fear
5. Malchus – Wounded but Healed
6. Mary and the Beloved Disciple – Faithful Love at the Foot of the Cross
7. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus – From Fear to Public Discipleship
Each of these figures teaches us something about our own faith journey,
challenging us to examine where we stand in relation to Christ’s Passion.
1. Jesus
– The Willing Sacrifice.
Unlike
in the Synoptic Gospels, where Jesus prays in deep agony at Gethsemane, John
portrays a Jesus who is completely in control. From the moment He speaks “I AM”
(John 18:5) at His arrest, to His final declaration “It is finished” (John
19:30), He is not a victim but a willing sacrifice.
2. Judas – Betrayal and Lost Opportunity
Judas
is one of the most tragic figures in John’s Gospel. Unlike Peter, who repents
after his denial, Judas never returns. His story is one of wasted opportunity
and final despair.
The setting of Judas’ betrayal is significant—he leads the soldiers to the very
place where Jesus often met with His disciples (John 18:2). The place of
fellowship and prayer becomes the place of betrayal.
In John’s account, ‘Satan enters Judas’ (John 13:27), signalling a
deeper spiritual reality—Judas has given himself over to darkness. When he
leaves the Last Supper, John makes a chilling statement: “And it was night”
(John 13:30). This is not just a time of day; it is a reflection of Judas’ spiritual
condition.
Spiritual Reflection: Have we ever chosen darkness over light? When we
fail, do we turn back to Jesus or allow despair to consume us?
3.
Peter – Fear, Denial, and Redemption.
Peter, often bold and impetuous, faces his greatest trial in John’s Passion
account. He follows Jesus after the arrest but denies Him three times (John
18:15-27). His denial is not a sign of hatred but of fear—fear of association,
fear of suffering.
What is striking in John’s Gospel is Malchus’ relative—one of those
present—asking Peter, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” (John 18:26).
It is as though Peter is being given a chance to own up to his discipleship,
but instead, he denies it again.
Yet, Peter’s story does not end in failure. After the Resurrection, Jesus
restores him with three affirmations of love (John 21:15-19), undoing his three
denials. Where Judas despaired, Peter repented and was redeemed.
Spiritual Reflection: Do we sometimes let fear dictate our actions? How
do we respond when we fall—do we turn back to Jesus like Peter?
4. Pilate – The Struggle Between Truth and Fear
Pilate is one of the most conflicted figures in John’s
Passion. He recognizes Jesus’ innocence, even declaring, “I find no guilt in
Him” (John 19:4), yet he ultimately chooses self-preservation over truth.
Pilate’s fear intensifies when the Jews say, “We have a
law, and by that law, He ought to die because He made Himself the Son of God”
(John 19:7). Ironically, they are unknowingly acknowledging the truth of Jesus'
identity.
His famous question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), is left
unanswered—not because truth is unknowable, but because Pilate does not stay to
hear the answer. He fears the crowd more than he values justice.
Spiritual Reflection: Do
we stand by the truth, even when it is inconvenient? Are we more concerned with
others’ opinions than with what is right?
5. Malchus – Wounded but Healed
Malchus is only briefly mentioned in John’s Passion, yet
his story is profound. He is the last person Jesus heals before His crucifixion
(John 18:10). Even as He is being arrested, Jesus shows mercy and healing.
Spiritual Reflection: Have
we experienced healing in unexpected places? Are we willing to receive Jesus’
mercy even in moments of struggle?
6. Mary and the Beloved Disciple – Faithful Love at the Foot of the Cross
While many flee, Mary and the Beloved Disciple remain at the foot of the Cross
(John 19:25-27). In one of His final acts, Jesus entrusts Mary to John, forming
a new spiritual family. Their presence speaks of faithful love and unwavering
devotion. Even in suffering, they stay. They do not run; they do not hide. They
remain.
Spiritual Reflection: In
moments of hardship, do we stay close to Jesus, or do we distance ourselves?
7. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus – From
Fear to Public Discipleship
Joseph and Nicodemus were secret disciples, fearing persecution (John
19:38-39). Yet, in the moment of Jesus’ death, they step forward, claiming His
body and burying Him with dignity.
Nicodemus, who once came to Jesus ‘by night’ (John
3:2), now comes in the light of day.
Spiritual Reflection: Are we afraid to show our faith? What moments in
our lives call us to step forward boldly for Christ?
Closing Reflection
John’s Passion account is not just about events; it is
about people and their responses to Jesus. Each figure invites us to reflect on
our own spiritual journey:
- Are we like Judas, betraying Jesus for worldly gain?
- Are we like Peter, sometimes failing but always
returning?
- Are we like Pilate, knowing the truth but too afraid
to act?
- Are we like Mary and John, standing faithfully at the
Cross?
- Are we like Joseph and Nicodemus, stepping into the
light despite fear?
John’s Passion forces a decision—where do we stand? As we
conclude this study, may we not only reflect but respond, choosing to follow
Jesus with faithfulness and courage.
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