sign in sign up
<<
Home , Zebedee

A Message from Pastor Chip Brookstown United Methodist Church Easter Revisited: The Resurrection Specialist

Reverend James T. Webb, Jr. . . . and if has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. The Apostle Paul to the Corinthians

One of my favorite Study Aids is a concordance, more specifically Strong’s Concordance because it is old and “syncs” with the King James Version. A concordance will help you find a scripture when you do not remember where it is, if you can remember just one significant word. That comes in really handy for preachers, teachers and students! But use of a concordance can also bring deeper insights illustrated in the question of the authorship of the according to John.

Since the second century, the Christian church has held that John, the son of Zebedee, authored the , the of John, and the Revelation. This particular John got the credit because he was the most famous John who also was an eyewitness to the events of ’ ministry. This is the who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. : 24. But here, is the author referring to himself or another?

Bible readers are confronted with the very clear differences between the Synoptic - Mark, Matthew and Luke- and the Gospel of John. In vocabulary, chronology, emphasis and detail, the Gospels differ. The Synoptics center Jesus ministry in Galilee while John’s emphasis is on Jerusalem. Consider some accounts, using the concordance.

Peter, James and John. Two of the lectionary texts about these very prominent disciples are the accounts of the Transfiguration and Jesus’ praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus invited the three to experience his transfiguration on the mountain, to see Elijah and Moses, and to hear the voice of God! And when Jesus was most vulnerable, he sought their company and support as he went up to the garden to pray and prepare. In your concordance, you will find that these accounts are ONLY in the synoptics: the Transfiguration in all three; and the Garden prayer in Mark and Matthew; and NOT in John! If John, son of Zebedee wrote the Fourth Gospel, would he have omitted these accounts?

Bethany. Bethany is a little village about two miles from Jerusalem, and is mentioned in all four of the Gospels. Jesus lodged there when he went to Jerusalem, in the house of . Mary, and Lazarus lived there, too. Luke tells the story of Mary and Martha during a meal visit from Jesus. Only John reveals the account of the second most important 6274 Yadkinville Road resurrection in the - Jesus’ raising of Lazarus.

Pfafftown, NC 27040 The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved. Surely Jesus loved all the disciples, but in the New Testament only one disciple is described in this manner. The phrase "the disciple whom April 11, 2021 Jesus loved" or, in :2; "the disciple beloved of Jesus", is used six times in the Gospel Second Sunday of Easter of John, but in no other New Testament accounts of Jesus. And in the Gospel according to John

we are told that Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus very much. When Lazarus Scripture Readings for the Week became ill the sisters sent word to Jesus to inform him, Lord, the one you love is sick. The Acts 4:32-35 ~ Psalm 133 ~ 1 :1-2:2 ~ John 20:19-31 other mentions of “the beloved disciple” in John do not name him, but only Lazarus is referred to as the one you love. Announcements

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Today, April 11, is the last day to enjoy this meditative walk. The Crucifixion. In the Synoptics, the Disciples ‘scatter’ as Jesus is moved toward the You can access the booklet guide on Brookstown’s webpage and Facebook page, or get a crucifixion. In Matthew, many women were present looking on from a distance among hard copy at the beginning of the journey at the sanctuary doors. them , and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of

Zebedee’s sons. Mark, likewise, there were also women looking on from a distance and LILIES: If you purchased a lily and haven’t taken it home, please pick it up today. They are on lists them as Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and , and a table in the hallway just past the church office. . Luke states, all his friends and the women who had accompanied him from

Galilee were standing at a distance watching everything. CHICKEN PIE WORKSHOPS: Friday, April 23 from 4-8pm; Saturday, April 24 from 8am-

12pm. Mark your calendars and plan to help out if you can! Only in the Gospel according to John do we have this: But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of , and Mary Magdalene. Crisis Control Gift of the Month for April: Instant Oatmeal When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom Jesus loved standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your Weekly Calendar mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. Only one male disciple at the cross, probably not one of the twelve from Galilee who had fled. Sundays 8:30 & 11:00am Worship Services live on Facebook, or Radio Station 87.9FM in your car Resurrection Day. Mary Magdalene was first at the Tomb according to John. Finding it 10:00am Online Sunday School (Zoom & empty, she ran to Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved to tell them that in the Ola Apperson SS Room) they have taken him out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him. So Mondays 5:30pm Zumba Exercise Class the two disciples ran to the Tomb, the other outrunning Peter. He looked in, but allowed Peter Thursdays 5:30pm Zoom Prayer Room to enter first. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he 5:30pm Zumba Exercise Class saw and BELIEVED. Stewardship for April 4, 2021 BELIEVED WHAT, WHY? Mary Magdalene thought someone had stolen the body. Peter 55th Sunday of Corona Compliance surveys the contents of the tomb with no response, but the other disciple, unnamed, goes in, Financial looks around, and believes! Tithes & Offerings: $6,415 ~ Other Gifts: $430 ~ Total: $6,845

In the great by and by, we will learn, for sure, which John finally completed the Fourth Gospel. Attendance But until then, it is exciting to consider that the author’s perspective came to him through the Sunrise Service: 49 ~ 8:30 Service: 17 ~ 11:00 Service: 34 first-hand experiences of one who lived just across the hill from Jerusalem, sat absorbing Jesus’ teachings, followed him through his last days, was given direction even at the cross, Church Staff and when confronted by the remaining contents of an knew exactly what had Minister: Choir Director: Shannon Craft taken place. James (Chip) T. Webb, Jr. Organist: Craft Cell: 336-971-4968 BSSC Director: Margarita Burton After all, Lazarus was a specialist in resurrection! Home: 336-923-2511 Admin. Assist: Lavonda Glass

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Email:[email protected] Church Office: Mon.- Fri., 11am-6pm; 336-945-3029 Flowers have been placed in our services today to the glory Email: [email protected] of God by Buddy Mitchell. Webpage: brookstown.umcchurches.org ~ Follow us on Facebook