Matthew 26 - Part 1

 

Read Matthew 26

If you were watching this chapter as a play or a movie, there would be multiple scene changes.  Jesus would remind his disciples that he would be crucified.  It would happen very soon.

The scene changes to Caiaphas and other senior religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus.  They can’t do this publicly.  They can’t do this in broad daylight.  They can’t do this during the festival but it must happen soon—very soon.  But how?

The scene changes back to Jesus and his disciples at Bethany.  They are gathered for a meal in the home of a man named Simon.  An unnamed woman brings a jar of very expensive perfume and pours it on the head of Jesus.

The disciples can only see the economic value.  This perfume could have been sold and could have bought a bunch of food and fed the poor.  Jesus noted that the poor will always be with you but Jesus would remain with them only a little while longer.

She prepared Jesus for burial.  Jesus noted that what she had done would be told wherever the gospel was spread.  We don’t know her name but we know what she did.

It’s time for another scene change.  Those who wanted to kill Jesus needed some help.  Enter Judas Iscariot.  For 30 pieces of silver, he will lead those who want to seize Jesus to him.  He just needs the perfect opportunity—someplace off the beaten path and sometime at night.

The scene shifts to Jerusalem and the disciples follow the instructions of their Master and secure a place to celebrate the Passover with a meal.  It would be the most special meal they ever shared with their Master.

During this meal, Jesus noted his betrayal but gave us words that we continue to use as we remember Jesus in the way that he instructed us.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The scene changes again and Jesus and his followers adjourn to the Mount of Olives.  They are singing as they go.

Jesus lets his closest friends know that the time has come and that they will desert him for a time.  Peter does not believe that he could ever abandon his Master, but Jesus tells him that is exactly what he will do.

Jesus also affirmed that he would rise from the dead and meet them in Galilee once he had risen.  This was a lot to take in.

The next scene change takes four men to a place within the Mount of Olives called Gethsemane.  Jesus, Peter, James, and John have adjourned to this place.  Jesus needs to pray and does.  Things are getting real.  Jesus is God but Jesus is also man.  He is human.  What lies ahead would deter any human.

Jesus, knowing there was no other way, asked his Father if there was another way.  The three disciples who accompanied him fell asleep.  They did not yet realize the magnitude of the moment.

Jesus knows what the next several hours hold for him and he is ready to do this last part of this Father’s will.

The time had come for him to be betrayed by Judas.  The scene remains the same but many will enter to bring about what had to happen.

We pause at this point to consider one thought.  His time had come.  For everything that was a part of his earthly ministry—teaching, healing, other miracles, confronting the religious hypocrites, and amazing people because he spoke with authority, the sine qua non was his trip to the cross, his death, and his resurrection.

Jesus was fully committed to enduring whatever this sinful world would put him through in the next hours.

The word of the hour is passion.  No person could do what Jesus did and even he required passion and love for us that we cannot comprehend.

If life ever gets so tough that you are ready to throw in the towel, consider the passion that Christ Jesus put forth for you.

His time had come.  He could have told his Father that they are not worth it, but evidently, we are.

Thanks be to God.  Praise the name of Jesus.

Amen.

John 18 - Part 1

Read John 18

His hour had come.  His teaching was done.  Now it was time for the arrest. 

The disciples had followed Jesus across the Kidron Valley, which is something of a wadi, and stopped in a group of olive trees, presumably what elsewhere is called the Mount of Olives.

We don’t see the interaction between Jesus and his disciples here.  We don’t see him praying in sorrow and anguish and those closest to him falling asleep.  What we do see is Judas guiding some officials from the Chief Priest and Pharisees.  They brought some armed soldiers.

The disciples did have a couple of swords.  You have to look to Luke’s gospel to get this tidbit and they were not for defending Jesus on this night.  For inquiring minds who want to know, in this case know the logistics, the disciples had swords and later on Peter would use one.

Jesus knew what was about to happen and he did not prolong the encounter.  The armed group approached and Jesus asked: “Who is it that you want?”  In modern vernacular, he would have said, “Who you looking for?’ 

Jesus may have healed on the Sabbath but I just can’t see him ending a sentence with a preposition.  This is 2020, so I am required to announce, that the last statement was tongue-in-cheek.

The group noted they were looking for Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus answered, “I am he.”

Jesus didn’t draw a sword.  He did not call upon 12  legions of angels.  He spoke the words I am.  We have experienced seven I am metaphors in John’s gospel, but this I am is the self-identifying voice of God.

I am

At the mention of these two simple words, the guards withdrew and fell backwards.  Two words conveyed more power and authority than this group brought with them. 

Did you ever see the video on Facebook or YouTube or whatever else exists out there of the road rage?  It’s a staged video and intentionally so, not like so many others purporting to be actual events.

In this video, the two vehicles have pulled over to the side of the road and the man in the trail vehicle gets out and grips a tire iron and starts walking toward the front vehicle with angry intent. The man in the first vehicle gets out with a .44 Magnum.

Immediately, the man with the tire iron starts doing the blind man act with this war stick.  They say don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.  Well, a tire iron doesn’t work much better.  It’s a funny video and makes a good comparison.

It didn’t matter how many soldiers or weapons the arresting party brought with them; they were no match for two words:  I am.

Jesus could have ended the whole affair in that moment, but he did not.  He asked them again who they wanted. Again, they said Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus said I am he.  It was as if to say, Here I am guys.  Let’s get this show on the road.

We need to understand that Jesus was not overcome by armed guards.  He surrendered fully to his Father’s will and the purpose for which he was sent.

Jesus said that they came for him so leave the others alone.  Do remember that Jesus just affirmed to his heavenly Father that he had lost none of those men given to him, except the one who had to betray him, and just happened to be the one who guided this armed party to him?

Jesus said take me and leave them alone.  None of them would be lost.  They were to be sent into the world.

Peter, who would very soon deny Jesus three times, took one of the swords and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant named Malchus.  Peter hacked of an ear from an unarmed man.  Peter was still governed by the flesh.

Jesus told him and us, that nothing would get in the way of his mission.  “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

As we wrap up this section, we find the servant missing his right ear, but in Luke’s gospel, Jesus heals the servant.  Luke’s gospel also does not name the disciple who cut off the servant’s ear.

These are some interesting tidbits for your continued study, but as we conclude this section, know this.

1.     Jesus would complete his mission.  In two words he could have dispatched anyone who would confront him, but he would do just what he was sent to do.  More on this when Jesus stands before Pilate.

2.    Peter was still wrestling with the flesh.  Peter and his sword would take on the world, a world that Jesus told him he had already overcome.  Do you ever wonder why Jesus picked Peter to follow him?  Perhaps, it is so we could see our humanity and wrestling matches with the flesh on full display in the gospels. 

We still wrestle with the flesh like Peter, but we must know and take heart that Jesus has already overcome everything that we wrestle with now.

Jesus knew what was ahead of him.  His hour had come and though he had the power to stop what was ahead of him, it was for this very purpose that he came.

Amen.

John 13 - Part 2

Read John 13

Man, that was some weird stuff.  Watching him walk on water or raise Lazarus from the dead was amazing.  I now believe the unbelievable because Jesus is from God, but having him wash my feet.  That was some weird stuff right there.

I’m glad that we are just enjoying our meal again.  Now we can just relax and eat dinner.

Those are my reconstituted thoughts on the thoughts of one or more of the disciples.

Jesus taught a little.  It was familiar stuff.  If you accept me, you accept the one who sent me.  Been there, done that.  We know that part.  Good no parables.

But once again, we will get a glimpse of the Son of God’s humanity.  He is troubled.  His spirit is troubled.  Jesus knew what was ahead of him; yet he was troubled.  He knew all along that he would die, but this is different.

One of you is going to betray me.

Peter gets John to ask Jesus just who would betray him.  Jesus told John that it was who the disciple to whom he would give the dipped piece of bread.  Jesus gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.  He told Judas to go do what he had to do and do it now.

The disciples thought that Judas was sent to buy food or give money to the poor.  John said nothing. 

We are told that Satan entered Judas and he left the room as soon as he received the bread.

Remember that his hour had come.  With the departure of Judas, the minute hand advanced 10 or 15 minutes.  The Sanhedrin had decided to kill Jesus.  The betrayer was on the way to them.  It was Passover Week.

The disciples just sat there.  Think deer in the headlights. 

What did he just say?  What does that mean?  Pass the bread.

This was not your uncle telling off color jokes at Thanksgiving dinner and everyone rolling their eyes.  This was gut wrenching stuff.  Jesus just washed their feet and next he said that he is going to be betrayed.  Was it Judas or was Judas just running an errand.  Was the one who would betray the Master just revealed and allowed to walk out of the room?

We know the story.  Imagine what it was to sit at that table and wonder what would come next.

 

If I ever get around to writing a skit for this meal, one of the disciples is going to say, “The whole thing had gone 2020.”

For now, know that his hour had come and the minute hand was advancing quickly.

Amen.