Reading Plan for Oct. 4 - 10
October 4, 2026 | John 1:35-42
Reflection:
In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus has, up to this point, seemed to be more of an “otherworldly” figure, barely human. He is the “Word of God,” and “the lamb that takes away the sins of the world.” From this point on, notice how Jesus appears truly to be a human figure, but there is always something “more” about him. He seems to know things that make the people around him wonder, “How did he know that?” Notice how John puts in details that make this a very human story: it was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. This detail doesn’t tell us anything theological, but it does help us enter into the scene, so that we might meet this Jesus, along with Peter and Andrew. You as the reader know what will come to pass for Peter and Andrew and the others who are called. In this story, these folks do not know what will happen next.
October 5, 2026 | John 1:43-51
Reflection:
Notice how the people whom Jesus calls are impressed with his seemingly superhuman knowledge. Jesus, however, is unimpressed with these things he knows. He tells the disciples that there will be greater things that they will see and know, and the greatest of these things is that they’ll come to see and understand who Jesus is and how he plays a part in God’s greater plan for all creation. What first drew you to Jesus? Have you come to know Jesus more fully throughout your life?
October 6, 2026 | John 2:1-6
Reflection:
We’ve jumped from the John the Baptizer’s camp near the Jordan River to an unnamed place in Galilee, and now we enter Cana. Notice how John tells the story differently from the other gospel writers, who tell of Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness and of Jesus’ early preaching ministry. John, however, takes us to a wedding. And one of the significant things we learn is that Jesus’ mother is at this particular wedding. Cana is only about 4 miles from Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown. Perhaps those getting married are family friends. Notice the coolness and formality with which Jesus interacts with his mother. “Woman,” he calls her, as if she were a stranger. The mother of Jesus, never named, appears again in this gospel only once (except briefly in tomorrow’s passage): at the cross. Why would John include her at the beginning and the end of Jesus ministerial life?
October 7, 2026 | John 2:7-12
Reflection:
It is a puzzle that John includes this story in his gospel. The other gospel writers do not tell this story. What is John wanting us to know about Jesus that is important for reading the rest of the Gospel account? Who is this Jesus that John is introducing in this way: see, this man can do miraculous things!? First, Jesus isn’t aloof from human society. Two, he has a family (a mother and brothers). And three, John tells us that turning water into wine is a “sign” that reveals Jesus’ glory. Now the word “glory” (doxa in Greek) meant primarily “reputation.” But because Jesus’ glory is tied to the glory of God we hear about in the Old Testament, we know it must mean so much more. God’s glory (kavod in Hebrew) is a divine “weightiness” that signifies divine, otherworldly presence and authority. Pay attention throughout this gospel how Jesus’ glory is pointed to again and again.
October 8, 2026 | John 2:13-22
Reflection:
We have encountered this story of Jesus cleansing the temple before. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all include it. What’s new is where this story occurs. Here in John, it occurs at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. In the other gospels, the story occurs during the last week of Jesus’ life. Since John places this story early in Jesus’ ministry, we see how the religious authorities are “set against” Jesus from the outset. As we continue to read this gospel, notice the antagonism that runs below the surface at all turns. In John’s account, the religious authorities ask for a “sign” that will prove Jesus will be able to raise up the temple in three days, a temple that has already been under construction for decades. Jesus will, throughout this gospel, point to the symbolic meaning behind his words. The author tells us that the “three days” will refer to the time between his death and his resurrection. Pay attention to Jesus’ interpretation of signs throughout this gospel.
October 9, 2026 | John 2:23-25
Reflection:
Just three verses today. They say a lot, though. John tells us that from early in Jesus’ ministry, city people (not just country folk), cultured and learned, began to believe in the “signs” they see Jesus do. Yet, Jesus doesn’t reveal himself fully. John tells us that Jesus knows humanity too well to reveal his divinity before the time set by God. Today’s passage sets the stage for tomorrow’s. What “signs” have drawn you to Jesus?
October 10, 2026 | John 3:1-10
Reflection:
This is a famous scene: the nighttime conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus. In yesterday’s commentary, we made note of the “educated and cultured” who were paying attention to the “signs” that Jesus was doing. Nicodemus was likely one of those folks who was taking note of Jesus. Take note of Nicodemus’ name. It’s not a Hebrew name; it’s Greek (and means “victory of the people). In Jesus’ time, quite a few Jews took on Greek names, because the Greeks had been ruling for more than two centuries, and then the Romans had come in. There was a lot of outside influence happening in Jewish lands…and had been for centuries. This cultured, and most probably politically connected, figure comes close to Jesus in multiple ways: physically, philosophically, and spiritually. And yet, he seems to misunderstand Jesus profoundly. Jesus says that one must be reborn spiritually, and Nicodemus just hears, “Born again,” and can only think of physical rebirth. He’s so close to Jesus, and yet so far away. What has kept you from understanding Jesus at different points in your life? When have you drawn closer?