Note in the pair of paragraphs above here how there is betrayal discussed in the first paragraph while in the second one some of those who have witnessed the rising of Lazarus go to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem who then decide to 'sacrifice' Jesus.  As well as the theme of betrayal both paragraphs here show a self-giving  by Jesus. 

 

One could wonder if, 2,000 years after the words of Jesus about giving his flesh to eat and his blood to drink it is any easier for someone to either understand this or to accept it.

 

Much of the first paragraph below appears to be repetition.  But if (c/f the analysis of Reality Search) Jesus reflects the true order of the universe, it follows that people who try to pattern their lives on what he has set out will find a greater identification with Ultimate Reality.  As Jesus c/f the cosmic Christ, exists within (but is not identical with) the universe, then it follows that his existence could also be found within something material and which he specifies. "Touching" this could help people become more linked in with his “way”.

 

5.         Is doubted and                        outlawed

to be killed, sought after in temple, discussed

7:1-13

in Galilee . . not Judea

11:53-57

not openly

 

7:1-13  After these things (his offer of life-giving bread and the rejection of this by many of his disciples) Jesus continued to walk around Galilee.  He did not want to go around Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill him.  Now the Jewish feast of the Tabernacles was near.  His brothers therefore said to him "Leave here and go into Judea so that your disciples (those that had left him?) can see the things that you are doing.  After all nobody would want to do these sorts of things in secret. but would rather seek to be in the open.  If you are doing these things show yourself to the world." His brothers said this because they did not believe in him.

Jesus therefore says to them "My time has not yet arrived.  But your time is always ready.  The world cannot hate you.  But it hates me because I show that its works are evil.  You go up to the feast.  I am not going up to this feast because my time has not yet been fulfilled."  And saying this to them he stayed on in Galilee.  But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not openly but as if in secret.  Therefore the Jews were looking for him at the feast and they said "Where is that man?"  There was much murmuring about him in the crowds.  Some said "He is a good man."  But others said "No.  He deceives the crowd."  But nobody openly spoke about him because of their fear of the Jews.

11:53-57  From that day on (after Caiaphas prophesied that one man would die for the nation) they (the Jewish council) considered that they might kill him.  Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly amongst the Jews.  Rather he went away from there into the country near the desert, to the city called Ephraim and he remained there with his disciples.

Now the Passover of the Jews was near and many people from the country went up to Jerusalem before the feast so that they might purify themselves.  They therefore sought Jesus (there) and said to one another while standing in the Temple. "What do you think? It appears that he is definitely not coming to the feast?"  Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given the order that if anyone knew where he was they should inform on him so that they might arrest him.