Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Sunday, February 16, 2014 Read John 7:1-52 As chapter 7 begins John tells us that the ministry of Jesus continues in Galilee because the Jews, who are associated with Judea, are seeking to kill him. But, the opportunity to remain in Galilee will not last long. John provides no specifics about this ministry in Galilee. It is striking that John tells us so little about the ministry of Jesus in Galilee. There are really only two episodes from that ministry that he relates – the multiplication of the bread and Jesus walking on the water. John is silent about all the other events that make up the heart of the synoptic gospels and their picture of Jesus. Did John not know any of those episodes? Did he choose to remain silent about them even though he was aware of them? Of course, we could ask the same questions of Mark and the others – why is there so little in them outside of Galilee? These are questions that we finally cannot answer. Making note of these differences is important though. That John centers so much of his gospel in Jerusalem and in the territory surrounding Jerusalem says something about John. And as we have said before, we can be thankful John has preserved what he has. Our vision of Jesus is made more complete. Before we look more specifically into the next major unit of John’s gospel, it will be good to hear it as a whole.