The scriptures read are Judges 13-15, Psalm 77, and John 11.
Judges 13-15. Samson is the Hebrew Hercules: powerful but tragic. We start with the angelic announcement of his birth to a barren woman and her husband. Samson is freakishly strong but a bit of a fool when it comes to women. His damage to the Philistines is almost incidental. Until they kill his would-be wife. Then it's carnage.
There's another side to this story. There are a lot of tricks and riddles and plays on words. The tale almost winks at us because whatever scheme the Philistines come up with, it goes very badly for them in the end.
Psalm 77. A person who has hit bottom gains hope from God's mighty deeds in the past.
John 11. Jesus raises Lazarus. When his sisters send word of Lazarus' illness, they call him "the one you love." Could Lazarus be the Beloved Disciple?
Another "I Am" statement: "I Am the Resurrection and the Life." (For more on that, click here.)
After this, Jesus is too popular for the religious leaders' comfort. They plan to get rid of him before his followers revolt and bring Rome down on their heads.
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