Studies in John’s Gospel – Series Index
Reta Halteman Finger began her Bible study blog, Reta’s Reflections with a study of 1 Corinthians, and then for her second Bible study series took up the Fourth Gospel— the Gospel according to John. Learn more about CFT’s Reta’s Reflections Bible Study blog.
At the conclusion of the 1 Corinthian series we put the question to our Facebook community, “What book would you like Reta to take up next?” The Gospel of John was one of the top choices, and Reta provided another reason that it would be appropriate for the next study. She says:
“I chose the fourth Gospel for our second lesson series because I think it is the most thoroughly feminist writing in our New Testament. Most Christians don’t know that—but all the more reason to get acquainted with this tough, tender, mothering Jesus who befriends women as well as men.”
(Posts are in reverse order of publication, with the first of the series at the bottom.)
Lesson 30 - "The name 'Bethany' means 'house of affliction' or 'house of the poor,' which had to be outside of Jerusalem for purity reasons. Brian Capper, an Acts scholar, suggests that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus may have had Essene connections and have sponsored a poorhouse close to their home. Perhaps Jesus originally met these siblings through his concern for the poor. If Mary’s ointment was poured out in the presence of poor people who were more used to smelling bad odors, a 'house filled with the fragrance of the perfume' (John 12:3) would have been a treat. In their presence, Jesus’s statement would have denoted compassion rather than callousness.
Lesson 14 - If John’s Gospel were a stage play, a dramatic scene shift would occur between chapters 5 and 6. Acting as his own lawyer in Jerusalem (5:30-47), Jesus now dons a Red Cross hat as he heals many on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee (6:2). This draws a huge crowd, who, out of need or curiosity, forget to pack a lunch. In 6:3-15, the Great Physician becomes Mother Jesus as he personally distributes food to his dependents. For once in their lives, these peasants eat until they can eat no more. For once, there are leftovers.