22nd October, 2011
BRUCE C. WEARNE
Read I John 3: 13-23
During Jesus' ministry He went among His local community. When He taught in the synagogue there was, at first, surprise (HEXEPLESSONTO), which then became a moral panic, and those of his own home town were deeply scandalised (HESKANDALIZONTO) (John 1: 11) by Him. On that occasion, Mark tells us:
"And on account of their unbelief Jesus marvelled" (Mark 6: 6).
Was John to live the rest of his life emotionally trapped by his own disappointment about what he had failed to do back there in the house of Ananias, the High Priest? Did he not carry the heavy guilt of a heart that condemned him (verse 20) for his lack of courage, his silence?
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This experience, we are told, was a surprise to Jesus. This disbelief came to the Son of God as a wonder, even as a miracle. And yet now in this passage from John's letter we hear the disciple whom Jesus loved telling his readers: "Do not be astonished, brothers and sisters, upon discovering that the world hates you."
What are we to make of this? Jesus marvelled as the disbelief of those of His own home town who preferred to find refuge in their own cruel rumour-mongering gossip about Him. Meanwhile the disciples of Jesus are told explicitly not to be surprised when faced by the hatred of the world! Is this not somewhat dissonant?
John has reminded his readers of an ancient struggle that has long been part of the human story: Cain and Abel. Don't be gobsmacked!
Cain had gobsmacked his righteous brother to death! So, don't be gobsmacked!
How are we to understand this? Recall that I have suggested that this letter should be read as John's indisputable, although somewhat indirect, reference to his own failings as a disciple of Jesus, not only during Jesus' ministry but more particularly during His trial.
Jesus was gobsmacked by that police officer for noting the inherent injustice in the High Priest's examination! That was when the world's hatred of the Righteous One was clearly evident to this "disciple whom Jesus loved".
And what, of this world's power and influence, did this disciple have on that occasion? Not much but what he had was the word of a disciple who, from the outset, had been taught by Jesus. But at that moment, had he not been incapable of showing, in deed and truth (verse18), his love for this "brother in need"?
What then? Was John to live the rest of his life emotionally trapped by his own disappointment about what he had failed to do back there in the house of Ananias, the High Priest? Did he not carry the heavy guilt of a heart that condemned him (verse 20) for his lack of courage, his silence?
No! But why not?
The answer that is given to our questioning here is simple enough and John confesses it: "God is greater than our hearts and knows all things" (verse 20).
Could it be that John may have only come to know about his failure - how his deepest sentiments (SPLAGCHNA) (verse 17) had utterly failed at that decisive moment for the salvation of the world - some time after Jesus had risen (see John 21: 20-25), or even after He had ascended to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to anoint His disciples with "power from on high"? I find that to be a compelling suggestion concerning the way this letter should now be read by us.
What we conclude from this is that what John witnessed when Jesus was on the end of a vicious "gobsmacking" from the bullying police office, was of such global and cosmic significance that it is presupposed by John's subsequent life of heeding the call to an indiscriminate love in deed and in truth. And he writes as one "with complete confidence toward God" (verse 21), proceeding to a love of love for one another (verse 23). The Christian life thereby finds its orientation and summation.
Whatever failing John had, and whatever self-criticism he had of his own failings, he came to know that it was not the end of the story. We might say that this letter tells us his joyous announcement of the beginning of a new chapter. He wrote this letter as one called to practise righteousness, by doing what is pleasing to Our Father in Jesus Christ, to heed the way of the Spirit which He has sent (verse 24), and to keep His commandments in a life pleasing in His sight.
God actually enjoys those believing in His Son showing their faith by loving one another (verse 23).
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