Due to the historic misuse of “the Jews” in John’s passion to justify anti-Judaism, please consider how this gospel is read and heard in your assembly’s worship. The Consultation on Common Texts, the ecumenical body that curates the Revised Common Lectionary has provided the following paragraph. You are invited to include it in printed worship folders or read it aloud before the gospel is proclaimed.
Throughout Christian history, references to “the Jews” in scripture—particularly in John and Acts—have been used to perpetuate negative stereotypes and falsely assign blame for the death of Jesus. These references gloss over significant distinctions among religious leaders, such as Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, and obscure the fact that Jesus and his disciples were themselves Jews. As Christians, we confess and lament the history of anti-Judaism associated with these texts. We renounce the evils of violence and discrimination against Jewish people. We strive for mutual understanding, respect, and partnership with Jewish neighbors and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation among people of all faiths.
Several ELCA resources are available to help guide worship planners and preachers in navigating these important concerns. Preaching and Teaching “With Love and Respect for the Jewish People” is available from the ELCA Consultative Panel on Lutheran-Jewish Relations. An essay titled, “The Jews” in John’s Passion was published in the 2020 edition of the Sundays and Seasons worship planning resource from Augsburg Fortress.
