Live Holy Week: Wednesday
Remember a time when someone you trusted betrayed you? What would it take to not fight back when hurt badly like Jesus?
Jesus was betrayed by a kiss from Judas. This was an intimate betrayal. If you were a disciple, the traditional greeting to your teacher would be a kiss.
It was night on a hill covered with olive trees. Jesus could easily have slipped away from the mob unnoticed. Instead Jesus stood his ground because he was innocent. Jesus had no reason to fear against unjust attacks. Jesus will stay true to God, allowing suffering at the hands of those who didn't understand, those who were there to gain favors, and those who acted out of their anger.
The disciples were not that faithful. One drew his sword to fight and injured a man (Peter, according to John's gospel). Peter would have been just in doing so by worldly standards. Instead, Jesus had him put away the sword and healed the cut ear. Jesus’ way is to nurture and heal, not to oppress and kill even if that means he will die at the hands of those who would kill and oppress him. Jesus will not fight back. He remains true to God, letting God decide if he should survive or die at the hands of those who would oppress and kill. Jesus was arrested.
In front of the Jewish council, Jesus was accused of taking on the name of God (Yahweh, which means “I Am.”) This is punishable by stoning according to Jewish law (Lev 24:10-23). It’s never been clear to me if Jesus’ answer to the question of whether he is the Messiah means “I am,” as in the name for God or if he means “I am” as in he is God. If he was speaking in Hebrew the listener could take the answer either way.
Many of us would rather not take the time to explore what someone means. We’d rather take it at face value, believe the worst about them or write them off as not worth our time. The council chose to take it against him and sent him to the Roman authorities for permission to have him killed.
In front of Pilate, Jesus will not defend himself. He will face the anger and the political/religious machine that sees him as a threat. Jesus would have to be crucified with all the other insurrectionists rather than being stoned according to Jewish law.
Jesus was betrayed by all his disciples, turned against by the leaders of the church at the time, and sentenced to death for inciting the people in Jerusalem. He allowed it to happen. Remember a time when someone you believed in and trusted betrayed you? Have found that not fighting back when attacked verbally helps the attacker heal? Instead of being defensive, try extending your care through a non-reactive listening ear that verbally names the feelings in the other.
Almighty God,
Lord, you allowed bitter people drunk on power to arrest, torture and kill you. You choose to be faithful to us despite our sinfulness. You acted out of obedience to faith well beyond our understanding. Lord, we believe...yet help our unbelief. Teach us to nurture and exercise our faith. Form us into people who will be there for those who are angry and hurting. Amen.
Pastor Michael
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