Day 43: From Judas to Jesus: Recalibrating Our Character
April 1
by Michael Lovett
Readings:
Reflection:
Jesus loved the scriptures. During his time on earth, they guided his mind, and they provided stability. This scripture in Isaiah had to be somewhat haunting and yet helpful to Jesus. As Jesus got clearer on his mission, scriptures like this one in Isaiah had to be so helpful. Yes, beatings, getting spit on, mocking, and worse would come Jesus' way, but all that evil would be destroyed, like clothes eaten by moths.
The reading in Matthew 26 is nearly a repeat of yesterday's reading. Today, we focus more specifically on Judas, not the whole scene of Jesus's last night before his death. The "scene" of this scripture begins and ends with a tight shot of Judas, whose duplicitousness is on full display. At the beginning of the chapter, he is literally letting the religious leaders "name their price" on Jesus' life. It is shocking to think of a friend doing such a thing! The passage in Matthew ends with Judas not alone, selling out, but right there, at the dinner table, playing dumb, as Jesus predicts someone will betray him. Judas is not 24 hours from the deal with the leaders and plays dumb, "The betrayer isn't me, is it?" Jesus responds, "You said it." It's a picture of grounded strength that Jesus gathered from the Isaiah passage. Jesus is surely sad, sobered, and likely feeling great emotion that evening. And still, Jesus lets it play out!
The growing stress had to be unreal. I just can't imagine remaining steady. I like structure, quick conflict resolution, and clear apologies. Jesus was willing to sit in the messy middle for hours, even days or weeks. What a savior!
May we each and all get grounded like Jesus in the strength offered by truth, stories of God's faithfulness in scripture, and may we follow Jesus into the hard times, knowing that the evil around us will disintegrate one day, like a moth-eaten sweater in the closet. Let us also be sobered by our tendency to want our own way as boldly and selfishly as Judas did. We lie, sneak around, and we cover ourselves at times. We need liturgies, relationships, silence, stillness, and solitude that are centered on God if we are to move from a Judas-like character to one formed by Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Song:
Judas, Poor Bishop Hooper (This is a haunting song about Judas' crushing guilt on a beautiful album that walks the listener through Holy Week in song)
Content for wisdom and contentment at: urenuf.life
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