(L,M,C)B...
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(L,M,C)
William Barclay points out an interesting fact in his commentary on this passage. The older translations -- particularly the King James Version -- speak of Jesus as one who loves us and washed us from our sins with his own blood. A better translation of that expression is the one used in most contemporary translations: Jesus loves us and freed us from sins by his blood. The hymns about our being washed in the blood of the lamb may have great emotional impact; according to Barclay they have little spiritural authority!
However, it is important to realize that the more accurate translation does nothing to take away the real meaning of the sacrifice of Christ. Through his death, Jesus served as our sacrifice. It was an atoning death that provides the vehicle for forgiveness. Barclay also points out that the tenses are important in this passage. Jesus loves (present tense) us, and set us free (past tense). At one moment in time, God acted through Jesus Christ to forgive us from sin. The love of Christ, however, is a present and future act. Just as King Arthur was called the "once and future king," so Jesus Christ is the once and future lover. His love is everlasting.
Buechner says that to sacrifice something is to make it holy by giving it away for love. Jesus sacrificed himself -- giving away his life out of love for humankind. No wonder John cries out in this passage a proclamation of praise: "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!"
-- Aber
William Barclay points out an interesting fact in his commentary on this passage. The older translations -- particularly the King James Version -- speak of Jesus as one who loves us and washed us from our sins with his own blood. A better translation of that expression is the one used in most contemporary translations: Jesus loves us and freed us from sins by his blood. The hymns about our being washed in the blood of the lamb may have great emotional impact; according to Barclay they have little spiritural authority!
However, it is important to realize that the more accurate translation does nothing to take away the real meaning of the sacrifice of Christ. Through his death, Jesus served as our sacrifice. It was an atoning death that provides the vehicle for forgiveness. Barclay also points out that the tenses are important in this passage. Jesus loves (present tense) us, and set us free (past tense). At one moment in time, God acted through Jesus Christ to forgive us from sin. The love of Christ, however, is a present and future act. Just as King Arthur was called the "once and future king," so Jesus Christ is the once and future lover. His love is everlasting.
Buechner says that to sacrifice something is to make it holy by giving it away for love. Jesus sacrificed himself -- giving away his life out of love for humankind. No wonder John cries out in this passage a proclamation of praise: "To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!"
-- Aber
