Day 105: It Is Finished

Today's readings: John 19-21 and Proverbs 6:16-22.

I. John 19 tells of the Passion of Christ. Pilate had Jesus scourged, He was then crucified and died, and was buried.

In the next chapter, Mary Magdalene visits the tomb and finds it empty with the stone rolled away. She ran to tell Peter and John, who then rushed to the tomb (John outrunning Peter) to see for themselves that it was empty and then left. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. Soon after this, Jesus next appeared to the Apostles, except Thomas, who was absent. Then He appeared to Thomas when he returned.

John 21 recounts how Jesus appeared once more to the Apostles at Lake Tiberias. He reconciles with and restores Peter after this for denying Him. The Gospel ends with a final word about and from John, along with noting that there was much else Jesus said and did that would take many books to write down.

The BIY Companion, Vol I, has some good commentary on this:

When Jesus asks Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" (John 21:15), he first uses a Greek word related to agape - self-sacrificial, unconditional love. When Peter responds that he loves Jesus, he uses a word related to philia - brotherly, friendship love. The third time Jesus asks Peter, he switches to philia also. Jesus wants us to love him like he love sus, but even when we do not, he meets us where we are, and accepts our love. When we come back to Jesus, he restores us. Peter betrayed and denied him. But Jesus indicates that he will restore him as he tells him, "Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep." This is a word of hope for us. When we feel like all is lost because of a mess we have made, we can come back to Jesus. (p. 224)

Not exactly a spoiler, but I had forgotten that the death of Judas isn't recorded in this Gospel. Nevertheless, I always think of that when I see Peter restored like this. Imagine if Judas hadn't given in to despair for betraying Jesus, but had repented like Peter? Sadly, he didn't.

II. Proverbs 6:16-22 continues the advice to young men. As the Ignatius Bible notes, this is (verse numbers removed):

One of several numerical proverbs in which objects of praise, censure, or similarity are itemized in a list. This one catalogs seven abominations in the sight of God: arrogance, lying, violence, premeditating murder, eagerness for mischief, perjury, and causing family strife. Most of these sins are associated with specific parts of the body (eyes, tongue, hands, heart, feet). (p. 969)

That's all for today!