The Humanity of Jesus – John 11:1-45

What this episode covers

In today’s episode, we answer a reader question regarding justifying your romantic or sexual desires through the scripture. Is having a sexual relationship a possibility for someone who wants to live a wholly Christ-centered life? “Doesn’t romance introduce the danger of worshiping your partner instead or as well as God?” We also queer a text from John 11:1-45 that shows us how Jesus is human. That he weeps for the death of a friend. He grieved. But then also shows us the grace of the Lord by waking Lazarus from the dead. It’s also a great reminder for the people around us that they also have the responsibility to make life easier for us – for all of us.  In this episode, we talk about: shout out to Tammy Garner [7:18] a reader question from Ace about justifying romantic pursuits when living a wholly christ-centered life [7:44] the Bible’s role in justifying sex and romance [9:20] worshiping God is communal [12:53] we queer a text from John 11:1-45 [16:55] understanding looking back vs. being in the middle of the midst of suffering  [17:42] gospel of John as Fr. Shay’s least favorite [19:20] Jesus shows His humanity [21:20] If you want to support the Patreon and help keep the podcast up and running, you can learn more and pledge your support at patreon.com/queertheology If you’d like to be featured in future episodes, email your question or Bible passage suggestion to [email protected] Link(s) mentioned in this episode: I Found the Garden of Eden: QueerTheology.com/garden-of-eden Self-Care for LGBTQ Christians:QueerTheology.com/selfcare Queer the Bible Waitlist: queertheology.com/queerbible 7-day IG challenge: QueerTheology.com/challenge John 11:1-45 A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.” The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?” Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.” He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.” The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death. Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.” Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is comi