A look at the gaps in the lectionary.
This week: the gap between Lent 1A and 2A
The text: John 1 & 2
In the season of Lent, we don’t keep to one gospel, we go from theme to theme. So we jump from the temptation of Jesus in Matthew to Nicodemus visiting Jesus in John.
What we miss, however, what we don’t cover, sets the tone regardless.
Nicodemus comes to Jesus, not because Jesus has been around a long time and has something like “social proof.” This is more like “early adopter” territory. He’s only done one miracle (though the text implies more).
Jesus is baptized and calls his first followers. Then the wedding at Cana. And then he attacks the Temple.
John’s version of the “cleansing” is different, though. Placing it at the beginning of the story rather than toward the end, which, in the midst of the Passion, gives a different vibe. It is instructive, almost more transgressive.
Here, also, is the prediction of resurrection: his body as the Temple. Again, not at the end, after they’ve learned so much, but at the outset. Seeming to say This is what we’re doing this for!
The chapter ends:
When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to testify about anyone; for he himself knew what was in everyone.
John 2:23-25
As usual, a bit of John-speak. But also full. Other signs, apparently. But also a tip of something like Jesus’s not-quiet-ready-to-trust-ness about it all. Because he knows them.
We get Nicodemus and Jesus’s pontificating about God’s love for the world in light of one sign we know and other signs that apparently happened. A sense of certainty, but also, apprehension on Jesus’s part. This certainly effects the way Nicodemus approaches Jesus, also apprehensively.
Given how oppressively certain we can be about faith and Jesus, getting a sequence of Jesus “feeling out” how to deal with people and Nicodemus doing the same, seems to be a different kind of gift to us this week.