This painting of Jesus healing the paralytic by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was done between 1667 and 1670. It's a large work, a little over eight feet across, held by the British National Gallery in London. I like Spanish paintings, in general, due to the bold use of color and the interesting figures. The standing figures are Jesus, Peter, James, and John. Notice that Jesus looks both saddened to see the trouble of the paralyzed man and peaceful, knowing that help is on the way. On this Sabbath day, he is going to give the man a rest from his troubles. Peter, normally portrayed as an old man, looks worried. James, as he is often shown in the Gospels, though a prominent figure, is slightly in the background. John, his brother, normally seen as a very young man, is looking on, possibly thinking that he himself would like to do something but that he lacks the ability. Meanwhile, the paralyzed man, dressed in rags and haggard in appearance, is explaining that he is unable to help himself. We see the pool in the background. The text in John speaks of an angel that stirs the water and brings help. Presumably, that is the angel appearing over Jesus' left shoulder. In the culture, while advice comes from the person on a ruler's right side, help is sent from the ruler's left side. The paralyzed man doesn't know whether he should look to the angel or to Jesus for help. It comes, in the end, from Jesus, who reaches out with loving compassion to the paralyzed man.
John 05 Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 5. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter five Jesus heals a man, even though it is the Sabbath, a day of rest. Why would it be appropriate or inappropriate for him to do this?
2. Many Christians understand the Sabbath as a time that symbolizes rest from sin and struggles. Evaluate this idea.
3. Later in chapter five, Jesus speaks about the testimony given by John and some others about him. What impressions do you get about Jesus from your reading of the Scripture?
4. Jesus makes a contrast between "judgment" and "life." Why are those opposites?
5. Do you fit into the category of "judgment" or "life?" Why?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
Notice in the Bible we refer to the following:
Book - John (there are many different "books" in the one book of the Bible),
Chapter - Normally found as a big numeric heading. John has 21 chapters,
Verse - a segment usually about a sentence long.
The chapter and verse markings were added to the text as a handy index about 800 years ago. They are the same in virtually every different translation.
Here's a link to John chapter 5. You can also compare the text in several different languages and translations.
If you want a copy of John's Gospel in print, we're happy to meet you around the Mizzou campus and put one into your hand!
1. At the start of chapter five Jesus heals a man, even though it is the Sabbath, a day of rest. Why would it be appropriate or inappropriate for him to do this?
2. Many Christians understand the Sabbath as a time that symbolizes rest from sin and struggles. Evaluate this idea.
3. Later in chapter five, Jesus speaks about the testimony given by John and some others about him. What impressions do you get about Jesus from your reading of the Scripture?
4. Jesus makes a contrast between "judgment" and "life." Why are those opposites?
5. Do you fit into the category of "judgment" or "life?" Why?
Be sure to ask your questions and share your ideas in the comments for this post!
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