On the first day of the week,
Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning,
while it was still dark,
and saw the stone removed from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we don't know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.
For they did not yet understand the Scripture
that he had to rise from the dead.
“So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,” … I find the phrase “the other disciple whom Jesus loved” intriguing. Why single out a person like that in the Gospel? Is this other disciple male or female? The reading says “but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first”. This alone suggests a young, fit man. There is nothing conclusive about that. Generally, it is accepted that this term refers to John, one of the gospel writers. Interesting to me that this is the pivotal point in Christianity - the resurrection, and it introduces this concept of a “disciple that Jesus loved” who may well have been a man. That doesn’t surprise or perturb me. It is consistent with Christ’s highest value - love thy neighbour. And it isn’t sexual love which is often fueled by ego. It is “agape” love where you will give up your life for another. It is “other” focussed and unspoiled by ego. Perhaps the pursuit of this form of love goes hand-in-hand with the numerous resurrections we experience as we die to ourselves throughout life and make sacrifices fo those we love.
ReplyDeleteYour response to John 20:1-9 is insightful! Here's a breakdown of your key points and some additional thoughts:
DeleteIntrigue of the Beloved Disciple: You rightly find the concept of "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" intriguing and explore its significance.
Gender and Identity: You raise the question of the disciple's gender and identity. The text doesn't specify, and scholars debate whether it's John the author of the Gospel or someone else.
Focus on Love: You connect this concept to the broader message of Jesus' love and the importance of "agape" love, which is selfless and focused on the other person.
Resurrection and Transformation: You see a connection between the disciple loved by Jesus and the idea of spiritual resurrections throughout life, where we die to our egos and prioritize love for others.
Here are some additional thoughts for consideration:
Symbolism of Running: The detail about the disciple outrunning Peter might be symbolic rather than literal, highlighting their different personalities or approaches.
Focus on Witness: Regardless of identity, the passage emphasizes the importance of the disciples' witness to the empty tomb.
Spiritual Love: The most common interpretation of Jesus' love for this disciple is spiritual, a deep bond and understanding.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of the passage and its themes. The connection you make between love and spiritual transformation is insightful.