Holy Week Wednesday
John 13:21-32, Isaiah 50:4-9a & Hebrews 12:1-3
In the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
In today’s gospel reading we hear once again of Jesus being “troubled in spirit” (Jn 13:21). It is an echo of what we heard in yesterdays reading where he was similarly troubled and in such anguish about the coming events. This time though, the cause of his despair is closer to hand.....much closer. The context is immediately after Jesus had just shocked them by washing his disciples stinking feet. Yet, despite this very symbolic act of love he knew that there was one person in the group who was going to turn against him.
This small group of very different people had spent the last few years travelling around with Jesus. They had firsthand experience of his miracles, his inclusiveness and his love. Coming from very different backgrounds, and with very different temperaments they had still somehow managed to form a bond with one another, united by the one they followed. Some of them had given up everything they had in order to follow Jesus.
As they got to know one another friendships would have been forged, and yes, rivalries made also. Within this group there would have been immense loyalty, not only to their leader, but also to one another. So imagine their shock when Jesus turns towards them and says, “Very truly, one of you will betray me” (Jn 13:21). You can picture them sitting there after all they had experienced together with Jesus.....the high times, and the low times. They had gone through so much with him, what was he saying now? What did he mean? It was out of the question! Surely none of those gathered there would turn their backs on all they had seen and witnessed of Jesus....would they?
Of course, betrayal and talk of traitors is a very emotive subject. History is full of those who have crossed over from one side to another for many different reasons. For some it may be a deep matter of principle that has caused them to turn against those who they once claimed to support. For others it is simply a question of personal gain....what will they get out of it? In sport a player transferring to a rival club, especially a local one can easily stir up very strong feelings of disloyalty and betrayal amongst the fans. A politician may feel so strongly about a particular issue that he or she feels compelled to join the opposing party. Again, those who feel left behind often feel bewildered and hurt at what has happened. Did they really know this person as well as they thought they did? And of course, at times of war those who are suspected of selling out and giving away secrets to the enemy are almost universally reviled.
We see here though, Jesus knowing full well what was about to happen. He knew that he was about to be betrayed by one of those who he has come to know and trust. And it wasn’t over some deep point of principle either; it appeared to be down to plain greed. Matthew’s gospel tells us of how Judas received 30 pieces of silver for his actions. Being the keeper of the purse strings he had a way with money. This was an ideal opportunity for him to get just a little more to line his own pockets.
It is interesting that although Jesus correctly predicts that Judas will betray him neither he nor any of the disciples make any attempt to stop him from doing so as he leaves the room. Indeed Jesus actually tells him to “Do quickly what you are going to do! (Jn 13:27). It is as though this is all part of what must happen in order for events to unfold in the way they do. Without Judas acting in the way that he did we may never have had the arrest of Jesus, leading to his trial, crucifixion and eventual resurrection. As we saw yesterday, even though he was in a great deal of anguish over what was about to come, Jesus still remained completely focused upon the task ahead of him. The actions of Judas were a catalyst for what was to come. Though what he did was certainly completely reprehensible in every sense of the word, it was somehow able to be turned around and be used as part of the overall narrative leading to the eventual reconciliation between God and humankind.
Without the betrayal by Judas perhaps events would have taken a different turn, we will never know. Even out of the deep sense of disloyalty and betrayal that Jesus (and his disciples) must have felt, there was still a way for it to become, if not quite a force for good then perhaps an event that could ultimately be used for the glory of God, though I doubt if Judas was thinking that at the time!
Again, Matthew’s gospel relates of how Judas was so full of remorse for his actions that he killed himself. What a weight he had now brought onto his shoulders. Knowing that he had handed over an innocent man to be condemned he was torn apart with guilt. It is easy I suppose for us to simply condemn Judas along with his actions. Less palatable perhaps to understand that he was in fact playing his part in the events that were to change the whole course of humanity. Even in the midst of betrayal God was still at work bringing about his divine purpose.
As we continue in Holy Week, may we remember that even in the darkest moments when everything seems to be moving towards such a dreadful finality, God is still in control. As we look to the one who took on our humanity to reconcile us with his divinity, let us keep our focus upon his journey of obedience to the will of his Father. A journey, dark and as dreadful as it is that is borne purely out of his love for each and every one of us.
AMEN
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