Background:
The next “personality” that appears in Mark’s Passion of Jesus is Judas (Mark 14:10-11). Only two verses are dedicated to him here, but he also appears again at the Last Supper (Mark 14:18) and in the Garden when Judas betrays Jesus (Mark 14:43-46).
Matthew’s gospel has a more detailed treatment of Judas, portraying him as a willing to barter for the betrayal and then later “seized with remorse” returning the money and hanging himself.
Luke’s mention of Jesus is more brief, like that of Mark and the Gospel writer, John, only mentions Judas as being present to betray Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In order to tell Judas’ story, I’m using the vehicle of his recently and fictionally discovered “Last Will and Testament.”
TO WHOM IT MAY ONE DAY CONCERN:
The Last Thoughts of Judas Iscariot, forever known as “The Betrayer”:
Friday of the Passover, 33 a.d.
It is evident to me now that I will always be the “bad guy”. There will be people who are called “Judas” – with a sneer of derision. But “Judas” will never become a popular name for little boys. In fact, it is a certainty that no one will ever name their son “Judas”.
In self defense, I have to clarify some things.
Jesus trusted me enough to call me as a disciple. Maybe he was trying to make the point that everyone, no matter what the sin, is acceptable to God. Maybe he was just trying to round out the twelve with someone from “the south” – Iscariot refers to the town I grew up in Kerioth Hezron, about 30 miles south of Jerusalem. Never-the-less, Jesus saw something in me and had enough faith in me to call me as a disciple.
The disciples trusted me too. They trusted me enough to be in charge of the money bags, to be the treasurer, if you will, of this little band of disciples. I was good at that job. I watched things closely. And it really bugged me when I saw waste, like the waste I saw when Mary so extravagantly emptied that jar of nard over Jesus’ head. We could have used that money and it just went to waste. I was always accused of “greed.” But it was never really “greed”. I just liked to handle money, even though I kept the purse strings pretty tight and that’s what looked like “greed”.
As for my betrayal, I wasn’t the only one. In the end, everyone, and I mean everyone, abandoned Jesus. They all deserted him. Even Peter who said he’d never leave Jesus’ side. Even John, the disciple Jesus loved. Even James, who got to be with Jesus during some of the most important events in Jesus life, left his side. Yes, I’m a bit bitter that I didn’t get to travel to the Mount of Transfiguration and see Moses and Elijah in person. I hold a grudge that I was never among his favorites. But in the end, they all abandoned him, just like I did. At one level, I am not any different than any of them. In fact, as scary as it might be for you, I’m probably not even a lot different than you, dear reader. Yet, forever, I will take the whole rap as “betrayer.”
Now, that being clear, it doesn’t excuse the fact that I sold Jesus out – in fact, I sold him out for the price of a common slave – 30 pieces of silver.
I don’t know why I did that. I’ll never know why I did that. There simply isn’t any explanation. But I want to be clear I didn’t “hate” Jesus. I never “hated” anyone, except now … I hate myself for what happened.
It was clear to me that Jesus knew that I would betray him. His words at our “Last Supper” were pointed and clear. They made me squirm. But what happened, happened because of my own choices, my own decisions. I never want anyone to think that what I did was somehow predestined.
You know, part of what happened was this. I was among the disciples, but I never really had a relationship with Jesus. Peter could call him “Lord.” But I could never use any other form of address than “Rabbi” even last night when I met him in the garden. I could never understand how some of the disciples, or even demons, called him “Lord” when he didn’t act like a “Lord”, one with light and power, one who could use his position to his advantage. I could only see him as “Rabbi”, and when I introduced him to the guards, I kissed him. I used the kind of kiss that was used as a customary greeting from a disciple to their rabbi.
Along the way, I got frustrated, I guess. I was looking for the kingdom, like everyone was. But it sure looked like Jesus had it wrong. I didn’t have any confidence of this strategy of non-violence. A kingdom, after all, is brought in with power. Jesus wasn’t using any of his supernatural powers, those used to cast out demons and raise the dead, and bring sight to the blind … Jesus wasn’t using any of those powers to inaugurate the kingdom that he kept talking about.
I just couldn’t make any sense out of it. It looked like he was helpless. He kept acting more like a servant than a “Lord.” So, because it was so obvious that the religious elite were trying to find a way to arrest Jesus, I just decided to help things along. So I went and volunteered. It was my own choice, remember. And when they offered to pay the price of a slave, it just seemed right. He was acting like a slave anyway. So I sold him out. And I accompanied these same religious elite to the garden and tipped them off to who Jesus was with my kiss.
Now it is happening. Just like Jesus said. He is condemned as an innocent man. He is going to die unfairly as a common criminal. And I, I Judas, have committed a grave sin. I have aided and abetted the death of the one who is a new kind of king, even in his impending death. I am party to the death of an innocent man, one who, as I can see now, is the Son of God.
Oh my. I am so sorry. I am so sinful. I have to go and give that money back. Even then, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to live with myself. I am so sorry. I’ve got to, I’ve got to … well, I’ve got to get outta here.
I’m so sorry.
Lord, have mercy.
s// Judas Iscariot
Friday, March 2, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Called into Service
I don’t know if you’ve been following the story of Jeremy Lin, a player for the New York Knicks basketball team.
If you haven’t, Lin is an un-drafted player from Harvard who arrived in December with no guarantee he would be there more than a few weeks. He’d already been cut by Golden State and Huston this season. He was so hesitant to get comfortable in New York that he didn’t even get his own home, but slept at his brother’s place.
But then, due to the injury of another player, Lin was called from the bench and with 25 points sparked his team to victory over New Jersey. But the story kept getting better. Lin became a starter and, with his contributions, the team went on a roll by winning 9 of 11 games over a 20-day period.
Lin has earned two straight Sports Illustrated Covers and has now moved into his own apartment.
Lin isn’t the first to gain fame from humble beginnings. I recall a Vikings player, Bob Lurtsema, who became famous, mostly for his commercials, as “Bench Warmer Bob”. Years before that David, the runt of the family, not even in the running for anything grand, was anointed king by Samuel and David became a person “after God’s own heart.” Everyone of the 12 disciples were called “off the bench” to become part of something grand. And even Jesus, born in a manger, from a no-count town of Nazareth, became the savior of the world.
The point is, we never know when we’ll be asked to step up for something grand. Maybe it is only as “grand” as touching the heart of a friend with our caring love. Maybe it is as “grand” as leading a meaningful service project in God’s name. But, our call as disciples is to be ready, to be prepared and to listen to answer when our coach (the Holy Spirit) calls.
Thomas A. Edison said, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
The fact of the matter is, we, you and I, are on a great team, God’s team. In the end, we’ll all have a part to play in God’s kingdom work. Even for benchwarmers and un-noticed disciples, we all have a part to play.
May we be ready when the Spirit calls. May we be alert to the Spirit’s nudging. And may God be glorified in the end.
If you haven’t, Lin is an un-drafted player from Harvard who arrived in December with no guarantee he would be there more than a few weeks. He’d already been cut by Golden State and Huston this season. He was so hesitant to get comfortable in New York that he didn’t even get his own home, but slept at his brother’s place.
But then, due to the injury of another player, Lin was called from the bench and with 25 points sparked his team to victory over New Jersey. But the story kept getting better. Lin became a starter and, with his contributions, the team went on a roll by winning 9 of 11 games over a 20-day period.
Lin has earned two straight Sports Illustrated Covers and has now moved into his own apartment.
Lin isn’t the first to gain fame from humble beginnings. I recall a Vikings player, Bob Lurtsema, who became famous, mostly for his commercials, as “Bench Warmer Bob”. Years before that David, the runt of the family, not even in the running for anything grand, was anointed king by Samuel and David became a person “after God’s own heart.” Everyone of the 12 disciples were called “off the bench” to become part of something grand. And even Jesus, born in a manger, from a no-count town of Nazareth, became the savior of the world.
The point is, we never know when we’ll be asked to step up for something grand. Maybe it is only as “grand” as touching the heart of a friend with our caring love. Maybe it is as “grand” as leading a meaningful service project in God’s name. But, our call as disciples is to be ready, to be prepared and to listen to answer when our coach (the Holy Spirit) calls.
Thomas A. Edison said, “Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
The fact of the matter is, we, you and I, are on a great team, God’s team. In the end, we’ll all have a part to play in God’s kingdom work. Even for benchwarmers and un-noticed disciples, we all have a part to play.
May we be ready when the Spirit calls. May we be alert to the Spirit’s nudging. And may God be glorified in the end.
Friday, February 24, 2012
"Personality of the Passion -- The Woman of Anointing"
BACKGROUND:
Mark’s gospel (Mark 14: 1 - 9) essentially begins the Passion of Jesus with the Anointing at Bethany “two days before the Passover (Wednesday). The main “personality” is this event is the “woman of the anointing”. While Mark does not identify the woman, it is traditionally believed to be Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus have appeared in the gospels several times. Jesus was often a guest at their home. They appear to have been good friends. The importance of this story is reflected in the fact that it is included in all four gospels.
For the purpose of telling Mary’s story, I have composed this “entry” in Mary’s “Diary”.
Bethany, Israel
Passover, 33 a.d.
Dear Diary:
Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days of my life. It had to do with my love and affection for Jesus, my Lord. It was hard because I’m pretty sure this is the week he will die. The religious leaders are not making any secrets about their plans and preparations to arrest Jesus before everyone comes to Jerusalem for the holy feast of Passover when we recall the freedom granted our people from the slavery in Egypt. They want to get him out of the way before the city becomes crowded and his arrest might increase the odds for riots and rebellions.
Jesus has visited Bethany before. Bethany, where we live, is about 2 miles from Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is the last station on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and a popular little place for travelers. For Jesus, our home was a second home. He was a good friend of my family: myself, my sister Martha and my brother, Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. But yesterday he was at our neighbor Simon’s home. Jesus had healed Simon from leprosy. All of us had a deep love for and a special relationship with Jesus. We were all quick to host him at our homes, mine included.
As for me, my devotion to Jesus has always been obvious. I would sit at Jesus’ feet whenever I had the opportunity. I listened to his every word. I tried to apply his teachings to my life.
Yesterday was different, somehow. Maybe it was the deep foreboding that I had. Maybe it was my own impulsiveness. Maybe it was simply another expression of my devotion to Jesus.
No matter, I acted in a rather unusual way. I poured a jar of very expensive oil on Jesus’ head. I mean VERY EXPENSIVE. It was a bold and reckless act, to be sure. The oil was “nard”, fragrant oil from a plant by the same name. The container that I emptied – I had to empty it because the alabaster jar had to be broken to get it open, it couldn’t be resealed -- over Jesus’ head, I can hardly believe I did that now, was worth a whole year’s wages. Some people there were very critical of the waste. In fact, one of them (Judas of all people) scolded me loudly.
I didn’t think about it at the time, but what I did, they call it anointing, is a sign, a symbol, of being chosen or marked for something great. I learned stories about anointing in synagogue – the anointing of prophets, like Samuel, and Kings, like Saul and David. Anointing bestows a blessing from God. Anointing marks one for a future action blessed by God. Anointing is an act of respect and devotion.
All I was thinking about yesterday was my devotion and love for Jesus. I was only thinking of my thankfulness for his words and ministry for our family. I was only trying to follow my intuition about what might come next in Jesus life, that is to be treated like a common criminal and when he died that he might be buried without the customary anointing to prepare the body before burial.
I think that is the way Jesus saw it too. He defended me. He stood up for my extravagance. He even had a scolding tone in his voice when he told the other guests that I had done something beautiful. He recognized my devotion, even such costly devotion and presented it as an example.
Rather than picking on the behavior or others, he seemed to recognize the value of devotion and service.
But he also brought up that death thing again. I’d heard him say it before, that he would die. I’d heard him say before that his mission and purpose in this world was the ‘suffer, die and on the third day rise again.’ I’d heard him teach that as the “Son of God,” he had a special purpose in his life and death.
What happened yesterday is still so very real. While others are plotting to put him to death, there I was showing my love and devotion. As I was sacrificing a very expensive bottle of perfume to anoint Jesus, he was preparing to make an even greater sacrifice – giving his life out of his love for the world. While I, in many ways, was acting like a common servant, Jesus was about to become the “suffering servant”, spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, the one who would suffer and die to serve the sentence of sin upon the world.
Dear Diary, I really don’t know the meaning of all of this.
Dear Diary, I’ll be back when I can make more sense out of it all.
Mary
Mark’s gospel (Mark 14: 1 - 9) essentially begins the Passion of Jesus with the Anointing at Bethany “two days before the Passover (Wednesday). The main “personality” is this event is the “woman of the anointing”. While Mark does not identify the woman, it is traditionally believed to be Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Mary, Martha and Lazarus have appeared in the gospels several times. Jesus was often a guest at their home. They appear to have been good friends. The importance of this story is reflected in the fact that it is included in all four gospels.
For the purpose of telling Mary’s story, I have composed this “entry” in Mary’s “Diary”.
Bethany, Israel
Passover, 33 a.d.
Dear Diary:
Yesterday was one of the most wonderful days of my life. It had to do with my love and affection for Jesus, my Lord. It was hard because I’m pretty sure this is the week he will die. The religious leaders are not making any secrets about their plans and preparations to arrest Jesus before everyone comes to Jerusalem for the holy feast of Passover when we recall the freedom granted our people from the slavery in Egypt. They want to get him out of the way before the city becomes crowded and his arrest might increase the odds for riots and rebellions.
Jesus has visited Bethany before. Bethany, where we live, is about 2 miles from Jerusalem, on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. It is the last station on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and a popular little place for travelers. For Jesus, our home was a second home. He was a good friend of my family: myself, my sister Martha and my brother, Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. But yesterday he was at our neighbor Simon’s home. Jesus had healed Simon from leprosy. All of us had a deep love for and a special relationship with Jesus. We were all quick to host him at our homes, mine included.
As for me, my devotion to Jesus has always been obvious. I would sit at Jesus’ feet whenever I had the opportunity. I listened to his every word. I tried to apply his teachings to my life.
Yesterday was different, somehow. Maybe it was the deep foreboding that I had. Maybe it was my own impulsiveness. Maybe it was simply another expression of my devotion to Jesus.
No matter, I acted in a rather unusual way. I poured a jar of very expensive oil on Jesus’ head. I mean VERY EXPENSIVE. It was a bold and reckless act, to be sure. The oil was “nard”, fragrant oil from a plant by the same name. The container that I emptied – I had to empty it because the alabaster jar had to be broken to get it open, it couldn’t be resealed -- over Jesus’ head, I can hardly believe I did that now, was worth a whole year’s wages. Some people there were very critical of the waste. In fact, one of them (Judas of all people) scolded me loudly.
I didn’t think about it at the time, but what I did, they call it anointing, is a sign, a symbol, of being chosen or marked for something great. I learned stories about anointing in synagogue – the anointing of prophets, like Samuel, and Kings, like Saul and David. Anointing bestows a blessing from God. Anointing marks one for a future action blessed by God. Anointing is an act of respect and devotion.
All I was thinking about yesterday was my devotion and love for Jesus. I was only thinking of my thankfulness for his words and ministry for our family. I was only trying to follow my intuition about what might come next in Jesus life, that is to be treated like a common criminal and when he died that he might be buried without the customary anointing to prepare the body before burial.
I think that is the way Jesus saw it too. He defended me. He stood up for my extravagance. He even had a scolding tone in his voice when he told the other guests that I had done something beautiful. He recognized my devotion, even such costly devotion and presented it as an example.
Rather than picking on the behavior or others, he seemed to recognize the value of devotion and service.
But he also brought up that death thing again. I’d heard him say it before, that he would die. I’d heard him say before that his mission and purpose in this world was the ‘suffer, die and on the third day rise again.’ I’d heard him teach that as the “Son of God,” he had a special purpose in his life and death.
What happened yesterday is still so very real. While others are plotting to put him to death, there I was showing my love and devotion. As I was sacrificing a very expensive bottle of perfume to anoint Jesus, he was preparing to make an even greater sacrifice – giving his life out of his love for the world. While I, in many ways, was acting like a common servant, Jesus was about to become the “suffering servant”, spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, the one who would suffer and die to serve the sentence of sin upon the world.
Dear Diary, I really don’t know the meaning of all of this.
Dear Diary, I’ll be back when I can make more sense out of it all.
Mary
Monday, February 13, 2012
"Opportunities"
Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again,
this time more intelligently.
~Henry Ford~
Thanks for stopping by today.
this time more intelligently.
~Henry Ford~
Thanks for stopping by today.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
"Three Things"
Found this among my things. Thought it was good to share. Thanks for stopping by today.
3 Things in life that once gone and never come back:
Time, words, opportunity.
3 Things in life that can destroy a person:
Anger. pride, un forgiven.
3 Things in life that you should never lose:
Hope, peace, honesty.
3 Things in life that are most valuable:
Love, Family & Friends, Kindness.
3 Things that are never certain:
Dreams, success, fortune.
3 Things that make a person:
Hard work, sincerity, commitment.
~Author Unknown~
3 Things in life that once gone and never come back:
Time, words, opportunity.
3 Things in life that can destroy a person:
Anger. pride, un forgiven.
3 Things in life that you should never lose:
Hope, peace, honesty.
3 Things in life that are most valuable:
Love, Family & Friends, Kindness.
3 Things that are never certain:
Dreams, success, fortune.
3 Things that make a person:
Hard work, sincerity, commitment.
~Author Unknown~
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Beauty of Math
This U-Tube is fun for anyone who enjoys the wonder of math. It is accompanied by some wonderful music. The "message" may be a "stretch", but no matter, it is an enjoyable couple of minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=h60r2HPsiuM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=h60r2HPsiuM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Just a Silly Question:
It has been an unusually warm "winter" here in Nebraska this year. Only a couple of light snow falls and record high temperatures.
So, I've been pondering on this Ground Hog Day:
So... if the groundhog sees his shadow (which "Punxsutawney Phil" apparently did) and predicts 6 more weeks of winter. What kind of "threat" is that given things so far? Or maybe that means we will see a "real" winter yet.
If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow and we get an "early Spring", how does that feel when we have had several months of "real spring" like weather?
Just silly musing ...
As you can tell by my postings, things have been slow. This just confirms it!
Thanks for stopping by!
So, I've been pondering on this Ground Hog Day:
So... if the groundhog sees his shadow (which "Punxsutawney Phil" apparently did) and predicts 6 more weeks of winter. What kind of "threat" is that given things so far? Or maybe that means we will see a "real" winter yet.
If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow and we get an "early Spring", how does that feel when we have had several months of "real spring" like weather?
Just silly musing ...
As you can tell by my postings, things have been slow. This just confirms it!
Thanks for stopping by!
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