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Tuesday 4thWeek of Easter
Jesus House
April 24, 2018
GOSPEL RAISES 2 ISSUES +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Often uncomfortable w/ way John refers to Jews
Ø John sometimes seems to demonize them
Ø He almost seems to be anti-Semitic
Ø We see a bit of this in today’s Gospel
Ø So, what is going on here?
Ø Two things, I think
INTOLLERENCE & ANTISEMITISM ++++++++++++++
Ø 1stthere’s much religious tension in Js’ lifetime & in decades that followed when John is writing
Ø J calls 4 reform & challenges Jewish leaders
Ø Followers of J came 2B known as XTNS as we hear in 1streading, began splitting from Judaism
Ø There’s tension & persecution of XTNS
Ø 2ndthing going on is smugness
Ø J is bothered by the smugness of Jewish leaders
Ø Thought they had the truth, all the answers & corner on market of God’s good graces
Ø Didn’t have 2 change or B open 2 changing
Ø This attitude is really what J & then John are so bothered by
Ø John’s is anti-smugness, not anti-Semitic
2 APPLICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø I see two conclusions
Ø 1stas a Church we’re also guilty of intolerance of other faiths, of XTNS & even of Catholics w/ whom there have been differences or disagreements
Ø We need to be aware of this
Ø We dislike anti-Catholicism even when it is rooted in our mistakes
Ø At same time, we 2 need 2 avoid demonizing any religious group & any group at all
Ø Better ways 2 foster love of G & way of J
Ø 2ndwe also need to be aware of smugness
Ø We can also B smug in way we assert truth & what we believe to be true
Ø Perhaps that’s as displeasing to Jesus as smugness of Jews of his day
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø 2 things to watch in our own behavior
Ø Intolerance and smugness for the Lord is speaking directly to us
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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