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The Gospel of John, Part 15
Chapter 11
Talk by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen)
October 14, 2025

Metropolitan Jonah discusses the Gospel of John chapter 11. Topics include:
(1) The raising of Lazarus marks a real turning point, followed by the Triumphal Entry, when people really begin to understand that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. But Jesus Christ was not the sort of Messiah that many of the Jews wanted. His enemies became hardened in their opposition and decided to kill Him; 
(2) Mary of Bethany (neither Mary Magdalene or the "sinful woman" in the tradition of the Church) anointed Jesus as a recognition of Him being the Anointed One, the Christ; 
(3) The Resurrection is the central point of Christianity. We will pass through death rather than succumb to it. The *body* dies, but not the *person* who is united to Christ in both His death and resurrection; 
(4) The Church became the heir of the Priesthood when the Jews lost it by rejecting Jesus Christ. It was received by the Apostles, who represent Christ, when Christ breathed the Holy Spirit on them after the resurrection and imparted to them the charism to forgive or retain sins (this is a distinct event from the general reception of the Holy Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost). This Priesthood is passed on by the laying on of hands. There has never been a time since this beginning when the Church did not have a Priesthood. A Priest is an icon of Christ, with a specific charism to offer the sacrifice in place of Christ, the Great High Priest. Never, even at the beginning, was there a lay service of the Eucharist. A Rabbi is a teacher not a Priest, and the Protestants basically follow this rabbinic, post-exilic reform path of Judaism, having no Priesthood; 
(5) On the Harrowing of Hades.