In session 270 the camera swings back to Mary at the tomb for the second time on that Sunday morning. She is in grief and confused. She is interacting with two unknown beings. She is so close to what is true but at this juncture unable to see. Mary’s story is our story.
When the subject was christian discipleship many of us were taught that Facts lead to Faith and Faith is followed by Feelings. This was a tidy way to look at it, it worked until it didn’t. Within Session 269 the Moot Men examine our well intended seekers. And what we discover is something quite different. […]
In Session 268 the Moot Men continue their look at resurrection morning. Last time we looked at Mary arriving first at the empty tomb. After a short exchange with Mary, Peter and John rush to the tomb. And this is where we pick up our story.
In Session 267 the Moot Men arrive at resurrection morning. We left chapter 19 in darkness and we begin chapter 20 in darkness. This, at first, stops us in our tracks. Why is this occasion not flooded with light? We have arrived at the moment but it is not quite as we expect. This is […]
In Session 266 the Moot Men arrive at the end of chapter 19 of John’s Gospel account. We have before us, a sealed tomb on one hand and a busy preparation to enter sacred space on the other. Viewing what has occurred through the lens of revelation brings us to an appropriate place to pause […]
For decades, in mid March, the Moot Men have paused to hear an annual reading of St. Patrick’s Breastplate. We keep coming back because something in that ancient expression resonates deep within all of us. This morning in session 265 we examine this prayer.
Session 264 moves towards two individuals responding to what has occurred. As we engage we see the uncertainty, the risk, the cost, all demonstrated through their act. This is a slow-mo moment we want to pay attention to.
Session 263 brings us to a familiar phrase seen throughout the new testament, “so the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Like all sessions our attempt is to understand this phrase in reference to what John is communicating through his gospel account.
In session 262 the Moot Men examine what John is calling his audience to examine. The reason for his call is so that his audience may believe. And according to John, belief can occur as his audience ponders what John has placed right here in front of them.
In session 261 the Moot Men enter a new space in John’s account. We can call it “the other side of death.” From here we examine this space from the perspective of our own experience and from what the New Testament writers collective refer to as union with Christ.
In session 260B the Moot Men take a second look at “It is finished.” In our last session we examined this phrase through the lens of John’s intent expressed throughout his gospel account. In this session we see how this phrase is best understood in relation to the New Testament’s stated outcome for humanity. To […]
In session 260A the Moot Men arrive at “It is finished.” This phrase has been thought about, examined, spoken, discussed and debated throughout church history, possibly as much or more than any of His spoken words. This morning we look at John 19:30, from the first of two perceptions, what did the writer want us, […]
In session 259 the Moot Men examine two phrases spoken from the cross which point towards completion and what completion means according to Jesus. We then move into discussion drawing questions and comments regarding what this means for us today.
In session 258 the Moot Men take a look at the third image John provides his readers, a small gathering at the foot of the cross. Viewing the cross as revelation we here see the relentless love of God in relation to the connected human community. We see what Jesus called out for His disciple. […]
In session 257 the Moot Men take a look at the second image John provides his readers. A group of soldiers are busy, planning, negotiating and cooperating towards a workable solution. While at this same moment these same soldiers are the active agents administering torture to an innocent man. What’s wrong with this picture?
In session 256 The Moot Men take a look at Pilate’s inscription. His signage, written in three languages, posted to be seen by all and challenged by the religious community, stands without change.
In session 255B the Moot Men examine what we are calling the backside of the cross. We join the multitudes who have analyzed, thought about, discussed and many times debated over what happened at the cross. From this realization we humbly submit our take on how to understand this pivotal moment within our human history. […]
In session 255A the Moot Men arrive at the first of cross detail as provided by John. Each Gospel writer provided detail at this moment in their narrative for their particular reasons. Thus what John has provided to his readers has purpose we plan to explore. Today and next week we examine verses 17 and […]
In session 254 the Moot Men arrive at the cross, where verse 16 states “So he then handed Him over to them to be crucified.” When you think about how much of our Christian theology is based on this moment, verse 16, in John’s account arrives surprisingly short and undescriptive. Thanks for joining in as […]
In session 253 the Moot Men continue through this technical section of John’s Gospel account. As we view these final moments before Pilate’s handoff there are four players who draw our attention. We analyze each then discuss.