John was a mystic
He recalled the Exodus account of the first Passover and pondered what he had witnessed
Of the four gospel accounts, only John’s omits the last supper.
Of the four gospels, only that of John contains the statement from John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
John was a mystic.
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Religious
1 John 3:7-10
John 1:35-42
John was the youngest of the Apostles. He is generally understood to be the Apostle that Jesus loved.
It is thought that he may have had the necessary contacts to get Peter and himself admitted to the high priest’s courtyard after Jesus had been taken prisoner.
Of all the Apostles, he alone actually witnessed the crucifixion.
He ran with Peter to see the tomb on Easter morning.
He died a natural death at a relatively old age.
Of the four gospel accounts, only John’s omits the last supper
Of the four gospels, only that of John contains the statement from John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
John was a mystic. He deeply sensed the transition that had taken place in Jesus; and I can easily imagine him recalling the Exodus account of the first Passover as he pondered what he had witnessed.
“Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers' houses. . .“
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“A lamb for a household; and if the household is too small for a lamb, then a man and his neighbor next to his house shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.”
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old . . . .”
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats; and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening.” (Exodus 12:3-6)
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“Then they shall take some of the blood [of the lamb], and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them.” (Exodus 12:7)
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are . . . .”
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.”
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.’” (Exodus 12:3-7, 13-14)
“Behold, the Lamb of God.”
“Do this in remembrance of me.”
Picture by Tobias Albers-Heinemann
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