In the beginning . . . crisscrossing themes in Jesus’ story

Jesus’ experience is like ours. Some days pass quickly without much notice, but other days are filled with pivotal experiences.

Today’s events in the withJesus storyline are from the first part of John 9 and from Genesis 1. The yearly Torah-reading schedule reboots today and begins anew in Genesis 1.

Today (in the storyline) we encounter three great themes in Jesus’ story:

• Torah (aka Moses’ Law)
• Healing activity
• Sabbath

Torah regulated Jesus’ thought and action. And today, the yearly reading of the Torah begins anew. “In the beginning…”

The focus of John’s Gospel, the healing event, passes quite quickly in the course of the day. The reading from the Hebrew Scriptures may actually have been much more profound for Jesus’ disciples since healing happened more frequently during the year than the annual reading of the creation account.

The final theme, Sabbath, establishes boundaries in Jesus’ and the nation’s schedule. Appropriate Sabbath activity is at the center of the controversy surrounding Jesus’ healing activity.

While today’s activities are pivotal, the story continues tomorrow. Jesus’ experience like ours does not have built-in study guide questions or reflection periods. We live the events and move on, only later realizing their  significance.