Jen and Matt Talk About the Bible

A Reflection on John 21 Lots going on in this final chapter (epilogue?) of John's Gospel, including: A miraculous catch of fish Why does Peter put his clothes on and jump into the sea when he sees Jesus? The reinstatement of Peter and Jesus questioning his love. The final reveal on the author of the story.

A Reflection on John 20:24-31 One of the disciples is known as a doubter, but actually they all doubted, and we all do too at one time or another. The amazing thing is that Jesus just shows up and helps Thomas believe that he really is risen. We then get an encouragement to believe/abide in Christ (even if we don't see or have proof of his risen identity) and to receive life.

In John 20:19-23, Jesus sends his followers after giving them his peace, and the gift of the Spirit, but he tells them that if they forgive the sins of anyone they are forgiven, and if they "retain the sins" of anyone they are retained. Just what might that mean for us?

A reflection on John 20:1-18 There is so much in these few verses as we think about the Easter narrative. Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved have a race to the tomb. Mary thinks she meets a gardener, but it is Jesus, and then he commissions her to announce his resurrection and ascension.

A reflection on John 19:38-42 Interestingly, none of Jesus' closest followers are there just after Jesus dies. It is two "secret disciples" who care for Jesus' body. Could the "new tomb" and the garden be hints of what is to come in the next chapter?

A reflection on John 19:28-37 As Jesus dies on the cross we are connected to the main symbols of water, blood, and body that are so important in the earlier chapters of John. His body is given, his blood, and the water of life poured out.

A reflection on John 19:17-27 A sign is put on the cross that describes Jesus' identity, soldiers gamble for Jesus' clothes, and Jesus shows compassion for "his own" that were there when he died.

A reflection on John 18:28 - 19:16 There is so much going on in this section of John's gospel where Jesus is sentenced to death.

A reflection on John 18:1-27 This is high drama in the gospel of John, which starts with a mob showing up to lynch Jesus and him literally knocking them over with his words. We then move into the sequence of Peter being questions and denying Jesus, and Jesus being questioned by the High Priest.

A reflection on John 17:1-26 Take some time to overhear the beautiful prayer that Jesus prayed for his followers and take in the words that you need to hear.

A reflection on John 16:23-33 Jesus continues to tell his followers that they can ask for anything in his name, but he also says that on the day of his resurrection they will ask nothing on him. Why is this and how does it encourage us with our own prayers in times of trouble?

A reflection on John 16:4b-22 Jesus talks about the Spirit "proving the world wrong" about sin, righteousness, and judgment, but what does that mean? When we centre Jesus in the narrative we get some clues.

A reflection on John 15:18-16:4 Jesus talks about the world hating him and hating his followers, but it isn't always clear what that means. The context might help a bit with this question and may reveal something to us about the interplay between religious communities and “worldly values.”

A reflection on John 15:1-17 Jesus talks about us being branches and him being a vine. The image is about abiding, about staying connected to Jesus, and thought it may not always feel like it, this leads to deep joy.

A reflection on John 14:15-31 "Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid.” Such powerful words that appear just after Jesus promising peace, and not a peace “as the world gives”. As we all pray for Ukraine and an end to war, let us hold onto these words.

A reflection on John 14:1-14 So much going on in these few verses. We need to remember the context of what came before on this one. Jesus talks about many dwelling places right after he has predicted Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial. Does he prepare a place even for them? And for us?

A reflection on John 13:21-38 We learn of Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial and in the midst of what is presented as the darkest point in John's gospel, Jesus speaks of it being the moment of his glorification and he commands his disciples to love one another.

A reflection on John 13:1-20 Jesus washes his disciples feet, even including the one who betrays him. This is a moment where we learn that the most important thing is to actually receive grace rather than worrying about all the things we “should” do. At the same time, those who follow Jesus are also sent out to humbly serve as he did, with no sense of superiority - simply a free offer of hospitality. Still the message remains focussed on receiving the one sent to us with gracious hospitality and service.

A reflection on John 12:37-50

A reflection on John 12:12-36. The situations of our lives and world can be completely overwhelming, but even as Jesus turns toward his darkest hour, he encourages us to keep walking in the light.

A reflection on John 11:54-12:11 about the time when Jesus' freind Mary poured a pound of perfume on his feet, Judas objected to it saying it could have been sold and the money given to the poor, but Jesus defended her and said it was for "his burial." A strange episode in John's gospel.

A reflection on John 11:1-53. Such a pivotal chapter in John's gospel where Lazarus is raised from the dead. So much here: Jesus' deep compassion, the "I am the resurrection and the life" saying, and the foreshadowing of Jesus' own raising from the dead.

A reflection on John 10:22-42. Well, the interpretation goes a little sideways on this one, but that's going to happen sometimes when you read the Bible!

A reflection on John 10:1-21

A reflection on John 9. Jesus heals a man born blind and it, of course, creates a controversy. By the end of the story we discover the real blind ones are the people who went so far as to kick the formerly blind man out of their community.

A reflection on John 8:31-59. There is a lot in this passage that starts with the familiar “and the truth will set you free,” but spirals until Jesus' opponents try to stone him.

A reflection on John 8:12-30. Wow - lots to talk about in this one!

A reflection on John 7:53-8:11. The religious authorities drag a woman in front of the crowd, accuse her of adultery, and want to use the Bible to justify killing her as punishment. They also decide that this is an excellent occasion to try and trap Jesus in making him decided between compassion and following the law.

A reflection on John 7:37-52

A reflection on John 7:1-36. We get introduced to the idea of Jesus saying “my time is not yet here,” as he responds to subtle accusations of doing miraculous signs just to gain fame for himself.

A reflection on John 6:41-71. Jesus goes deeper on the metaphor of him being the bread of life. He starts talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood and even a lot of his own disciples stop following him.

A reflection on John 6:1-40. Jesus feeds 5000 people, but there're so many connections: Bread of Life, Eucharist, communion, hungering for life, and the Great I Am. What an amazingly rich part of the Bible.

A Reflection on John 5:19-47. A section we might be tempted to skip, but here Jesus just keeps going deeper with showing us who he really is.

A reflection on John 5:1-18. Is this man that Jesus heals being standoffish and does he tell on Jesus to the authorities or does he end up identifying himself with Jesus?

A Reflection on John 4:43-54. A man travels a great distance to ask Jesus to heal his dying son, and Jesus, as usual, says something cryptic: “unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

A reflection on John 4:31-42. Jesus' disciples return and urge him to eat, but Jesus talks about how he is nourished by completing God's work that has already started.

A reflection on John 4:1-30. The Samaritan woman at the well is often misunderstood, but she is actually theologically astute, not afraid to question and push back on Jesus, and also becomes one of the first evangelists. She is a stark contrast to the religious leader from John 3, who is left simply dumbfounded. The woman at the well is the one who, in the end, gets it right.

A reflection on John 3:22-36. This passage is mostly about John the Baptist. Some of his followers are upset because Jesus is kind of encroaching on John's territory. Jesus has been baptizing people - the shock! John's response - I never said I was the Messiah. He must increase, I must decrease. John wasn't out for fame, but rather was all about pointing to the truth - and that actually meant that his ministry was going to get smaller. And then, there's the only mention of the word wrath in John's gospel - that will always trip us up!!!

A reflection on John 3:11-21. A continuation of Jesus' conversation with a religious leader, containing the beautiful John 3:16, but also some tricky and difficult language about judgment and condemnation.

A reflection on John 3:1-10 - Jesus is visited by a Pharisee named Nicodemus and they have a really strange, and probably very important, conversation. Nicodemus seems to get everything right, but then Jesus takes things further (again!), speaking about the need for one to be born from above (or anew), the kingdom of God, water, Spirit, and the wind blowing wherever it wants.

A reflection on John 2:13-25. Jesus gets angry and turns over the tables of the money-changers in the temple. With his action, Jesus upends the religious system of his day and points to himself as the way draw near to God.

A reflection on John 2:1-12. Most people have heard about Jesus changing water into wine, but in this little story there are just so many amazing connections. And, once again, there is just way more to Jesus than we might think!

A reflection on John 1:43-51. In this passage, Jesus is judged because of where he comes from, but there is always way more to Jesus than we think there is. This is, of course, true of any person. The invitation is still the same - "come and see."

A reflection on John:1:35-42. What might this bit of the Bible be telling us? Jesus asks "What are you looking for?" And the answer is "Teacher, where are you staying?" Do we know what we are looking for in our endless searches, scrolling, and binge-watching?

Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the prologue to John's gospel - John 1:1-14. The gospel writer uses grand "spiritual" language and is also very grounded. Jesus is talked about as the Logos (the Word, or the defining principle of the universe), but he also talks about this Logos becoming flesh and "moved into the neighbourhood." This is, in fact the whole point of Christmas as the celebration of the incarnation, God with us.

Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the Annunciation in Luke 1:26-38. This is the story of the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she will have a child. They also back up to Zechariah and Elizabeth's story earlier in Luke where the angel Gabriel first appears. They wonder whether Gabriel might be the main character at this point, and also how Zechariah and Mary respond differently (one with fear, and the other with "pondering") to Gabriel's announcements.

Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss Mary's song, the Magnificat, in Luke 1:46-55. In this text Mary begins with the blessing she is receiving herself, and then moves to a more universal blessing that God is giving to the world through the child she is carrying. Mary prophetically proclaims that God's salvation has already been accomplished.

Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough discuss the classic Advent text Isaiah 40:1-11. This text speaks to the exiles from Jerusalem living in Babylon and promises comfort for God's people, the glory of God being revealed, a highway being made in the desert, a herald coming with glad tidings, a shepherd carrying and leading his sheep. So much here!

Jen Ostash-Gooch and Matt Brough talk about Isaiah 64:1-12, the lectionary text for the first Sunday of Advent, that starts with "O that You would tear open the heavens and come down." It is a prayer asking God to do something, to show up, to fix things. This text is for the Sunday of Hope, but often Advent emphasizes the darkness of the world as we anticipate the coming light of Christ. Most of us feel like we don't need more reminders of the darkness and want to just get to the hope and the light. This text tells us that while God addresses our hopes, God's way of doing so is often surprising. We need reminding that our hope must always be in God rather than in the things that we think God ought to do for us.

Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss Matthew 25:31-46

Matt Brough and Jen Ostash-Gooch discuss Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the talents.