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John 2. Images of New Salvation: "New Joy" and "New Worship". Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel. Ch. 1 Introduction: Prologue and Witness of John Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs")
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John 2 Images of New Salvation: "New Joy" and "New Worship"
Broad Outline of Fourth Gospel Ch. 1 Introduction: Prologue and Witness of John Ch. 2-12 Jesus Before the World ("Book of Signs") Theme: Through signs and discourses, Jesus reveals himself as the Son of God, sent to save the world, but is rejected by the world. Ch. 2-4 Images of New Salvation Ch. 2 "New Joy" and "New Worship" Ch. 3 "New Birth" and "New Master" Ch. 4 "Living Water" and "New Life" Ch. 5-10 Growing hostility Ch. 11-12 Final rejection Ch. 13-20 Jesus Before the Disciples("Book of Passion/Glory") Ch. 21 Appendix: Appearance in Galilee
First Sign: Water into Wine (2:1-12)Images of New Salvation: “NewJoy” • At wedding feast in Cana, Jesus miraculouslysupplies “good wine” so party can go on. • Bultmann: story was borrowed from pagan Dionysus legends. • Jesus’ relationship with his mother is problematic. • Address as “woman” sounds disparaging, but parallels in Josephus show it can be affectionate (cf. 19:26). • “What to me and to you?” (cf. 2 Kgs. 3:13; 2 Sam. 16:10; Mk. 5:7) does show tension (cf. Mk. 3:21, 31-35). • Hesitation to perform miracle is frequent motif. • Implications for “signs theology”: • “Signs Source” (note numbering) emphasized positive function: manifests Jesus’ “glory” and evokes faith response (v. 11). • Evangelist is more critical: miracles need not lead to faith; require faith to be seen properly; faith dependent on signs is immature. • Positive role of signs: Seen through eyes of faith, miracles become “signs” pointing to identity of Christ.
First Sign: Water into Wine (2:1-12)Images of New Salvation: “NewJoy” • For Evangelist, story functions symbolically. • Contrasts Jewish ceremonial system with “New Salvation” of Jesus. • Six stone jars of water used for ritual purification symbolize Jewish ritualism. • Remarkably “fine wine” symbolizes Jesus’ New Salvation: • Joy • Fulfillment • Abundance • Perhaps a hint of suffering (“my hour;” his “glory”) • Cf. Isa. 25:6 (eschatological feast of wine); Mk. 2:18-22 (new wine). • Jesus brings a New Salvation that fulfills and replaces the Jewish system. • Characterized by a “New Joy” that is real, lasting, and abundant. • That “good wine” was saved “until now” reverses common assumption that what is older is better. • Hints at suffering suggest that New Joy comes at a price.
Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25)Images of New Salvation: “NewWorship” • Synoptics place at end of ministry as “last straw.” • Probably not done twice. • John’s placement is thematic rather than chronological. • Money-changers and animal-sellers in Court of Gentiles were essential to Temple function. • Roman coins had to be changed; unblemished sacrifice had to be purchased. • Chief priests had turned this into greedy, exploitative system. • Jesus stages “symbolic action” against corruption. • “Stop making my Father’s house a house of trade” (cf. Zech. 14:21). • Cf. Mk. 11:17: “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it a den of robbers (Isa. 56:7; Jer. 7:11). • Purifies Court of Gentiles for eschatological coming of Gentiles. • More than symbolic “cleansing”: prophetic judgment against Temple.
Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25)Images of New Salvation: “NewWorship” • Story implies destruction of Temple and replacement by death and resurrection of Jesus. • Jesus’ action seals his fate: “Zeal for your house will consume me” (Ps. 69:9). • “The Jews’” demand for a sign of authority is answered: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up” (v.19; cf. Mk. 14:58; 15:29). • Jews are baffled – work on Herod’s temple began in 20 BC. • Narrator explains as referring to “the temple of his body” (cf. “sign of Jonah” in Mt. 12:39-40). • Jesus’ death and resurrection would replace Temple as basis of worship. • Access to God is no longer confined to ritual institution but universal, through Spirit brought by Jesus’ death and resurrection (cf. 4:20-24). • Cf. Qumran, which considered the community to be the “new temple.”
Cleansing the Temple (2:13-25)Images of New Salvation: “NewWorship” • Disciples understood this only after the resurrection (v. 22). • Paraclete will help recall and illumine understanding (cf. 14:26). • Pre-Easter story is told from post-Easter perspective. • Reaction scene (v. 23-25). • Many believed because of Jesus’ signs. • Jesus distrusts them; does not accept their faith. • Inadequacy of faith dependent on signs.
Model of Herod’s Temple Court of Gentiles
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