John 13:23-25; 19:25-27; 20:2-8; 21:1, 7, 20-24.
Now, if I were motivated by my prejudices, as many preachers, teachers, lay-leaders, and politicians have been when it comes to ascribing a contemporary understanding of homosexuality onto ancient Near Eastern culture and texts, I'd have a field day with this one. In fact, I think I will! It's as easy as taking candy from a baby to ascribe a same-gender-loving relationship into this, one of the bible's most intriguing narratives and mysteries - "The disciple whom Jesus loved." I mean really... Who is this man that enjoys a special closeness to Jesus that appears to surpass his love and affection for the other disciples? Who is he? Where did he come from? Exactly when did he and Jesus spend so much time together that the author of this gospel saw fit to emphasize the closeness of their "relationship?" So much so that he identifies him in such a way that if they were with us today, we would say, without question or hesitation, that this man was Jesus' "boo!" Who is this mysterious disciple - this man that doesn't seem to show up in any of the other three gospels? Or does he? Put a pin there. Indulge me for a moment, while I do a few of my own hermeneutic gymnastics and tricks around the aforementioned verses.
Traditionally, John, the brother of James (the sons of Zebedee) is not only the author of this eye witness testimony, but he is also believed to be the "beloved disciple." Honestly, I won't be here long because I find that line of reason to be a bit peculiar and frankly speaking, quite humorous. Church tradition holds fast to the tenet, "Thy word is true from the beginning; and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever" (KJV Psalm 119: 160). That is, everything therein is inerrant - totally and completely free from and without error. Okay then, let's take a look at this "disciple whom Jesus loved" at face value. In "truth," we really don't know who the author of the "Gospel of John" is - or do we? The original title of it was, "The Fourth Gospel," But, could he, John, have been the "disciple whom Jesus loved?" Maybe, but I doubt it. Come, take a walk with me.
Arguably, the first time we hear of this mystery man is at the last supper, where Jesus is grieved in his spirit as he is about to announce to the disciples that one of them is going to betray him. "Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom, one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be, of whom he [Jesus] spake. He, then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it" (John 13:23-25)? Now I don't know about you, but I'm wondering, "why is anybody, especially a man leaning on Jesus' breast?" Yes, it was customary to lounge while eating, as they often sat on the floor or on the ground, but was it customary to lounge upon one another while eating? While I can't say for sure, someone I know would probably say, "I don't think so. Homey don't play dat."
The next time we see this special someone, is at the cross. "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home (19:25-27). Slow down, you're moving too fast. Jesus, the eldest of his mother's children, we know had other brothers and sisters. Yet, he usurps his brother's role, responsibility and honor of caring for his mother by trusting her into the care of this "beloved disciple?" Whom, as far as we know, is not a member of the immediate family. Okay, keep walking with me. I said slow down, not stop... After Jesus has been crucified, on "The first day of the week," after Mary Magdalene braved the dark to find the stone at the entrance of Jesus' tomb rolled away, she runs away and "cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith, 'they have taken away the Lord...'" The two men get into a testosterone measuring exercise by racing to the tomb. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, the "beloved disciple" out ran Peter (20:2-8). Didn't you just know that was going to happen?
Oddly, there is much ado about the identity of the "beloved disciple." A whole host of candidates have emerged, ranging from John and James (Jesus' brother), to Lazarus and even Thomas. In some circles, Mary Magdalene has also emerged as a possible candidate. While the latter is tantalizingly intriguing, it is not nearly as plausible, nor as mouth watering as the other male possibilities - especially those who are not considered to be a part of Jesus' immediate family. Why? Because, the mere thought of Jesus having a special affinity toward one of his disciples would turn this whole thing completely topsy turvy. But, as I stated earlier, it's an easy argument to make if one so dared. And dare, I do. I mean seriously, we have a man - "Jesus Christ [the] Superstar," of questionable birth, who begins a ministry that challenges his own religious traditions and practices of his day. He's not married (supposedly), he hangs out with a rag-tag gang of men and women of ill repute - tax collectors, fishermen and if I may correct the record, MARY MAGDALENE WAS NOT A PROSTITUTE - but a woman cured of several illnesses! And then, on the eve of his death, he has the nerve to lay up with some mysterious man at supper that we have come to know as, "the disciple whom [he] loved." So, if "The Word is true," then it is true entirely! I didn't make this up. Again, it's in the book - the same book that lazy and prejudicially motivated folks like those I mentioned to you earlier, will turn flips and do somersaults around to point out verses within its pages that supposedly condemn homosexuality - but who will read/walk right over verses such as these, that not only speak of same-gender-love, but emphasizes it as radically different, radically special, and radically sacred. I know somebody out there is cussing me out about this, but hey... I give as good as I get. So let the cussing begin!
Oh, I almost forgot, where is that pin? Take it out. In the book of Mark, Jesus goes off and prays for his life in a place called Gethsemane. Okay, most people say the garden of Gethsemane, so I'll let you have that. After he prays for his life, he is seized, "by a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priest and the scribes and the elders." Judas betrays him with a kiss, one of the disciples cuts off the ear of one of the servants of the high priest and all the disciples leave him and take off running. As they were carrying Jesus away, "there followed a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him; and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked" (Mark 14:42-52). Pay close attention as I wrap this up. "The Fourth Gospel," stands out in three ways; 1) It contains the shortest verse in the King James Version of the bible, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). 2) Jesus' greatest miracle - raising Lazarus from the dead - which by the way is also why "Jesus wept." And, prior to that, when Mary first summoned Jesus to come to the aid of her ailing brother, she called out to him saying, "Lord he whom thou lovest is sick" (John 11:3). Finally, 3) the mysterious, "Disciple whom Jesus loved." Uh oh, wait a minute now.... I think we just stepped on something. Hmmm... I wonder if.... Could it be? "LAZARUS COME FORTH" (11:43)!
I feel another bible study coming on... Caller you say what?
One final note; If we take love along on our faith walk, and approach the sacred texts with respect, honor and an open mind without conforming to the rigidity of tradition, we may all be changed.
One final note; If we take love along on our faith walk, and approach the sacred texts with respect, honor and an open mind without conforming to the rigidity of tradition, we may all be changed.
© Dorinda G. Henry, 2010
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
THEOLOGIA HABITUS EST!
