In session 167 we examine some fascinating Jesus statements. He acknowledges a troubled soul. We discuss John’s purposes in placing this statement here. We talk about what it means for God to be glorified. And finally we talk about the gavel of judgement in regard to the ruler of this world. There is quite a […]

In session 166 we continue with Jesus’s core teaching regarding discipleship. There are three aspects within His progression of thought. He begins with the general idea, what the audience can understand and relate to through their normal everyday experience. He then relates this generally understood idea to how to live one’s life as His follower. […]

In session 165 we begin to analyze one of Jesus’s core teaching regarding discipleship. You and I have heard this expressed many times. This idea is adopted and expressed throughout the New Testament. His teaching falls directly on the heels of perceived outsiders requesting to see Jesus. This too is core to what John was […]

In session 164B the Moot Men continue to examine the four responses of people in regard to raising Lazarus from the dead. As John communicated to his first century audience, there are at least four responses to a single event. More closely, there are numerous responses to the person of Jesus. People see what they […]

In session 164A the Moot Men began to discuss four responses to the person of Jesus. When we arrived at response two one our group cited an important distinction which captured our attention in regard to the matter of faith. As a group we dwelled around this idea for the remainder of our time together, […]

In session 163 we look at what is known as the triumphal entry. As many readers are aware, what exists in the mind of the crowd is far different from what will actually occur during the course of the coming week. Jesus receives the crowd’s words and actions as one who is arriving as a […]

In session 162 we examine two groups of people. The first are seeking to see. The second claim they see clearly. However, and as we have discussed prior, what one sees has much to do with what one brings to the occasion. In this session we are invited into observing just how absurd one’s perception […]

In this session we look at how Jesus responds to Judas’s rebuttal in regard to Mary’s act of anointing. What we discover is a very different intent and use of His directive to “Leave her alone.” Through observation we start to understand what Jesus is inviting His followers into and some of the how in […]

Session 160 describes the beautiful story of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus. This story has become familiar even to the casual reader. What’s interesting about this occasion is the matter of perspective, the underlying why and where our minds go as readers of this story. We plan to examine this story in reference to […]

In session 159 the Moot Men ponder what it is like to face pending doom. In our story we see Jesus headed to Jerusalem for the last time fully aware that His own crucifixion awaits. On the other hand we see Him invited to and attending a dinner party during His layover in Bethany. This […]

In today’s session the Moot Men begin chapter 12 of John’s Gospel account. At the end of chapter 11, Jesus remains as a scapegoated victim as the text reads, “near the wilderness” echoing Leviticus 16. It is here at the opening of chapter 12 we see something quite remarkable, certainly attention worthy to the first […]

Today the Moot Men examine what is happening back in Jerusalem as it relates to what we have seen prior. There are two groups of people. One group is in preparation for the coming Passover festivities. The Other is tactically planning how to arrest Jesus. Both groups represent what scapegoating practices look like.  

In session 156, we examine one verse which we view as at least one result of Caiaphas’s resolve as stated in 11:49-53. What we see before us is what the practice of scapegoating creates. It’s clear that Jesus has been scapegoated by the temple leaders in Jerusalem. Here we observe two resulting aspects of this […]

In session 155D, we wrap up discussion of this key text by looking at Jesus through the lens of what Rene Girard labeled as Mimetic desire. As we look at the life of Jesus we are mystified by His language regarding how He describes His relationship with the father. In a general sense we can […]

In session 155C, still looking into this key statement by Caiaphas, we as a group are introduced to 20th century anthropologist and philosopher Rene Girard who helps us by giving language to what Caiaphas is talking about as here stated in John 11:49-53. Join in as we learn about how Girard describes the scapegoat framework […]

Now as we arrive at the end of Jesus’ public ministry the Moot Men take a brief look back at the whole book and in relation to the writer’s stated intent as described within John 20:30-31. Caiaphas’s words as stated here is 11:49-53 have bearing in relation to John’s stated intent. We plan to camp […]

In session 155A we arrive at an important interpretive juncture within John’s gospel account. Here Caiaphas, the high priest makes a statement which is a key to understanding what John intended his first century audience to grasp. Buried within his statement is the idea of Jesus as a scapegoat. Over the next few sessions, the […]

In session 154 we observe the witness outcome. There are two. One group witnesses the raising of Lazarus from the dead and as the text reads, they, “believed in Him.” The second group witness the same event but unlike the first, they leave Bethany, travel the short distance to Jerusalem to report to the temple […]

In session 153, the moot men take a look at then discuss this familiar portion of John’s gospel account where Lazarus is raised from the dead. We collectively ponder the words of Jesus and Martha’s response during this painful interaction. Thanks for your interest.  

In session 152B, we analyze the two responses demonstrated by the crowd. One portion identifies Jesus as empathetic but like themselves, powerless in regard to anything beyond entering into the grief of the moment. The other portion of the crowd recognizes Jesus as unique in that He could have prevented the death. However, this group […]