Chapter 7: Called to Love
The Gospel According to John and the Book of Revelation
1. What is the one key idea of this chapter. pay attention to the title of the chapter!
The one key idea of this chapter is that we are called to love. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus emphasizes serving each other. We see this especially in John's Gospel in the last supper. Jesus serves his disciples. He takes a towel and bowl of water and washes the feet of his disciples. A true teacher leads by example. Here Jesus teaches that love is the heart of Christian services. To love one another is to be willing to wash the feet of another and, as the disciples soon found out, to give one's life for another. Jesus teaches us that love is rooted in a relationship with God. Jesus' experiance of being one with the Father was the basis for his life and teaching and empowered him to give his life for us. God became incarnated in our world so that Jesus could be incarnated in each of us. He came to show us how to love.
2. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
One major idea I'd like to remember from this chapter would be how Jesus put love into action and conversed with a Samaritin woman. Jesus model nonexclusive love by talking with the woman at the well. At the time, it was not acceptable for Jews to speak to Samaritins or for men to speak to unknown women. Jesus broke these two taboos, spiritual and religious. In John's Gospel, the Samaritin woman is the first person to whom Jesus reveals his identity. As the story winds down, the woman tells others of her encounter with Jesus. She then becomes the first evangelist. The Samaritins learned that Jesus truly was the Savior of the World. I'd like to remember this idea because it shows that anybody can become a believer in Christ. Even the Samaritins became followers of Him.
A second key idea I'd like to remember would be the recurring theme of symbols and codes in the Book of Revelation. I find that to be a very interesting and captivating subject. It's even cooler because I'd never expect to find something like that in the Bible. Revelation isn't a secret code book, but is symbolic literature which was readily understood by the audience for whom it was written. Revelation is rooted in the history and cultural values of the seven communities of faith to which it was written. It's author, John, was a Christian prophet familiar with the tradition of John the Evangelist. He wasn't this John though. As Christians began to suffer and die for their beliefs, some began to mix their religion with the Emperor worship. This confused many and some classified them as another mystery sect or cult. Revelation was hope that God's presence would be the sustaining force in the suffering of Christian people. Many of the symbols used in Revelation were borrowed from other writers, such as Daniel, Ezekial, and Zechariah. Within Revelation, prophetic visions convey the message that while the world is filled with evil and trials, God is always present and does not abandon those who are trusting and faithful. Even Scripture scholars are not certain of all of the meanings of the symbols, numbers, and colors used in Revelation.
3. One image that captures the chapter for you.
4. One significant question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal.
One question I would have about this chapter would deal with the symbols and codes in Revelation. First of all, what would these symbols really mean? Are they really necessary for the Book? Why would only Revelation contain these mysterious codes and not other books? I think it might deal a little bit with divine inspiration. Maybe certain authors were inspired in different ways than others. I am still not sure why we would need a confusing twist in our scripture, but then again, much of the scriptures we say we understand are confusing in their own ways.