New Beginnings

The Gospel of John is somewhat the "odd-ball" of the four New Testament Gospels. In John's Gospel, there is no birth story, no temptation in the wilderness,

no Transfiguration upon the mountain top. There are no Beatitudes, nor are there parables. Even the Last Supper is told differently--in place of the eucharist, John's tells the story of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Yet more than any other Gospel, John leans into the identity of Jesus, focusing on seven "signs" and seven "I am" statements through which Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples.

Before we get to those signs and statements, though, John begins by recording a series of interactions Jesus had in ministry--first with John the Baptist, then with the disciples, then with the Pharisees (and a particular Pharisee named Nicodemus), and finally with an unnamed Samaritan woman. Each of these individuals was invited to a new beginning with Jesus--some of whom embraced the opportunity, while others let the moment pass them by or even hardened their hearts against Jesus. As we begin a new year, what new beginning might Jesus be inviting us into?