The Unnamed Woman. When reading biblical passages it is so significant when a woman is named (there are many who are not) and yet I find it interesting that the woman who anoints Jesus at the beginning of Mark 14 is so highly honored and not named. Jesus says that, “wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her.”
Borg and Crossan proclaim her the first believer and model leader. She acted upon what she heard and evidently believed. It brings me to reaffirm what I have believed and taught, that believing is doing. One cannot believe, trust or have faith in Jesus and not show it in our actions.
Today I preached a sermon on John 13:21-32 since Borg and Crossan refer to this passage in John, I thought I would share it with you here.
John starts Chapter 13 by setting the scene for what is referred to as the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples, maybe others, are gathered for a meal before Passover. John tells us that Jesus knows his time has come. In his very theological way John makes this out to be the fulfillment of God’s plan, and of scripture. From a practical, historical point of view, Jesus was a wanted man. He had threatened established authority creating fear in the chief priests and scribes and ultimately ruffled the feathers of Roman authorities. John also tells us that the devil had already affected Judas’ heart, creating the opportunity for those who wanted to arrest Jesus to convince Judas to help them.
As the scene progresses, Jesus gets up from the table and washes the feet of his disciples. He taught them that it is their role to serve others. He set the example that they were to do as he had done. He goes on to say that no one is greater than another and it is everyone’s responsibility to care for one another. “If you know these things,” Jesus says, “you are blessed to do them.” There is blessing in the serving of others…
When we pick up at our passage for today, Jesus says, “one of you will betray me.” Again, John refers to Jesus’ foreknowledge that Judas will betray him.
John says, “Satan entered into him.” Indicating that Judas may have acted out of evil influence, greed, confusion, or weakness but that he himself was not evil. And, it is still quite clearly betrayal. Two thousand years later the name Judas is synonymous with betrayal.
In our world, this past year has been a year of celebrity betrayal. The faces of John Edwards, Mark Sanford, Tiger Woods, and now Jesse James are plastered all over the magazine racks. Their betrayal of their wives and their marital vows has caught the attention of many and sells magazines.
But marital infidelity is not the only form of betrayal in our world. Almost everyone here today, everyone you know… has stories of betrayal to tell.
We have stories about betrayal by not only spouses, but parents, children, employers, pension funds or financial advisors and even life long friends. The stories are unending. The pain is often too deep for words, and after years of healing the scars may still be visible. There are also those among us who have done the betraying. Perhaps the betrayal happened in a moment of desperation, or in a moment of panic, or because it was the only way to preserve a wounded façade. Most human beings have a streak of self-preservation that when put to the test we will sometimes abandon our promises, loves and loyalties to look after ourselves.
Thus, guilt runs deep. Just as being betrayed leaves scars, so does being the betrayer. Both betrayed and betrayer identify with the final moments in the upper room. Everyone has been where Jesus is. Many have been where Judas is.
When I engage these ancient texts, in this cycle of reading called the lectionary, I often think that the day’s passage was chosen especially for me, like today’s passage.
A little over a week ago I was officiating at a memorial for my father, in Ohio. As I was about to begin the service my long-time friend, Denise walked into the room. Denise and I grew up side by side, getting into mischief together, learning many of those early life lessons together and keeping each other’s secrets through the adolescent years of exploration. Our friendship, continued all-be-it long distance, into adulthood, though marriages, children and careers.
Then, 10 years ago, in a misunderstanding, Denise betrayed me; telling my father she suspected I was having an affair, rather than confronting me and checking out her assumptions. When it all came to the surface, I all but ended our friendship in a flurry of words. It was a difficult betrayal ten years ago, and there she was walking in the door.
I believe the lesson in this passage is not to point the finger at Judas as this villain, the other, or some kind of monster. Before the story concludes at the cross, all of the disciples will betray Jesus in some way. Most notably is Peter who denies him three times. Again, Jesus predicts his betrayal, before the cock crows. Peter was sure he would NEVER betray Jesus, but found himself in that place of self-preservation.
Today the scriptures ask us to look at our own betrayals. If it is hard to imagine ourselves as a Judas or as Peter, what about the other 10 disciples, they disappear, become silent, fade into the background. Their betrayal is one of omission. They fail to stand up for Jesus, to claim their affiliation with him, or to even stand by his side in solidarity with him. This is the betrayal that I believe most of us can identify with. Ours is not the sin of casting Jesus into Roman custody, denying that we are a follower or nailing him to the cross. Ours is more often the betrayal of silence and omission.
As I see it betrayal has many genres. It can be personal where I betray myself. My own best self is betrayed when I don’t live up to who God created me to be, or when I do damage to myself in any one of the myriad of self destructive behaviors. Or it could be inter-personal such as with my friend Denise and me. It is when we betray another person. It can also be corporate, where we as a group betray others within the group such as with our legislative powers, to deny marriage equality or health care to some. I also believe it includes our silence when such injustices happen.
For generations, there has been a degree of silence about the inequality in access to health care for many in our community. But finally we are witnesses to the history making health care reform which will enable 30 mil. uninsured neighbors to receive the benefits of health insurance. As you have seen, though, not everyone is celebrating this legislation. The viciousness of some opponents of reform have broken all boundaries of civility and, in some cases, even of law.
At their anti-reform rally in DC last Saturday, some used nasty epithets. People spat upon Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City, who is African American and is also a United Methodist minister. One protester sent an email message with a picture of a noose to Congressman James Clyburn of Charleston, another distinguished African American legislator. The district offices of more than one pro-reform Democratic legislator were vandalized. And despite some barely-heard disavowals of violence and bigotry from some in public office, there is also no doubt that these same leaders have created a tone of disrespect and even contempt for the President and his party that encourages still more violent and racist outbreaks. I am outraged not just at that behavior, but at the lack of voices coming forward to condemn this behavior.
I have ask myself are we like the majority of the Disciples, shrinking into the background, betraying the spirit of Jesus today by not speaking up against these acts of in justice and now violence. Is ours the corporate betrayal of silence and omission?
This scripture passage was not done with me as I pondered betrayal and the betrayers. Look at the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Or at least Jesus’ behavior towards Judas. Even knowing Judas will fall short, will betray his best self and eventually betray Jesus.. Jesus washes his feet. Jesus breaks bread with him and shares table fellowship. Jesus does not reject Judas.
At my father’s memorial, when my friend Denise walked through the door. I hurried to her and put my arms around her saying, “I am so glad you are here.” We talked, hugged and affirmed that the past was in the past. I am so ashamed that it took me 10 years and grateful that it is finished. Denise may have betrayed me and our friendship, but I betrayed the spirit of Jesus in my actions.
Jesus knows that you and I will fall short. We will betray our best selves. We will even betray Jesus, by not following the example he set for us and yet we will always be welcome at his table. We will always be loved and embraced and brought back to this table of fellowship regardless of our weaknesses. Amen.
Thoughts for discussion:
1. Borg and Crossan are clear that at least from Mark, we do not know what Judas’ motives were.
Borg and Crossan proclaim her the first believer and model leader. She acted upon what she heard and evidently believed. It brings me to reaffirm what I have believed and taught, that believing is doing. One cannot believe, trust or have faith in Jesus and not show it in our actions.
Today I preached a sermon on John 13:21-32 since Borg and Crossan refer to this passage in John, I thought I would share it with you here.
John starts Chapter 13 by setting the scene for what is referred to as the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples, maybe others, are gathered for a meal before Passover. John tells us that Jesus knows his time has come. In his very theological way John makes this out to be the fulfillment of God’s plan, and of scripture. From a practical, historical point of view, Jesus was a wanted man. He had threatened established authority creating fear in the chief priests and scribes and ultimately ruffled the feathers of Roman authorities. John also tells us that the devil had already affected Judas’ heart, creating the opportunity for those who wanted to arrest Jesus to convince Judas to help them.
As the scene progresses, Jesus gets up from the table and washes the feet of his disciples. He taught them that it is their role to serve others. He set the example that they were to do as he had done. He goes on to say that no one is greater than another and it is everyone’s responsibility to care for one another. “If you know these things,” Jesus says, “you are blessed to do them.” There is blessing in the serving of others…
When we pick up at our passage for today, Jesus says, “one of you will betray me.” Again, John refers to Jesus’ foreknowledge that Judas will betray him.
John says, “Satan entered into him.” Indicating that Judas may have acted out of evil influence, greed, confusion, or weakness but that he himself was not evil. And, it is still quite clearly betrayal. Two thousand years later the name Judas is synonymous with betrayal.
In our world, this past year has been a year of celebrity betrayal. The faces of John Edwards, Mark Sanford, Tiger Woods, and now Jesse James are plastered all over the magazine racks. Their betrayal of their wives and their marital vows has caught the attention of many and sells magazines.
But marital infidelity is not the only form of betrayal in our world. Almost everyone here today, everyone you know… has stories of betrayal to tell.
We have stories about betrayal by not only spouses, but parents, children, employers, pension funds or financial advisors and even life long friends. The stories are unending. The pain is often too deep for words, and after years of healing the scars may still be visible. There are also those among us who have done the betraying. Perhaps the betrayal happened in a moment of desperation, or in a moment of panic, or because it was the only way to preserve a wounded façade. Most human beings have a streak of self-preservation that when put to the test we will sometimes abandon our promises, loves and loyalties to look after ourselves.
Thus, guilt runs deep. Just as being betrayed leaves scars, so does being the betrayer. Both betrayed and betrayer identify with the final moments in the upper room. Everyone has been where Jesus is. Many have been where Judas is.
When I engage these ancient texts, in this cycle of reading called the lectionary, I often think that the day’s passage was chosen especially for me, like today’s passage.
A little over a week ago I was officiating at a memorial for my father, in Ohio. As I was about to begin the service my long-time friend, Denise walked into the room. Denise and I grew up side by side, getting into mischief together, learning many of those early life lessons together and keeping each other’s secrets through the adolescent years of exploration. Our friendship, continued all-be-it long distance, into adulthood, though marriages, children and careers.
Then, 10 years ago, in a misunderstanding, Denise betrayed me; telling my father she suspected I was having an affair, rather than confronting me and checking out her assumptions. When it all came to the surface, I all but ended our friendship in a flurry of words. It was a difficult betrayal ten years ago, and there she was walking in the door.
I believe the lesson in this passage is not to point the finger at Judas as this villain, the other, or some kind of monster. Before the story concludes at the cross, all of the disciples will betray Jesus in some way. Most notably is Peter who denies him three times. Again, Jesus predicts his betrayal, before the cock crows. Peter was sure he would NEVER betray Jesus, but found himself in that place of self-preservation.
Today the scriptures ask us to look at our own betrayals. If it is hard to imagine ourselves as a Judas or as Peter, what about the other 10 disciples, they disappear, become silent, fade into the background. Their betrayal is one of omission. They fail to stand up for Jesus, to claim their affiliation with him, or to even stand by his side in solidarity with him. This is the betrayal that I believe most of us can identify with. Ours is not the sin of casting Jesus into Roman custody, denying that we are a follower or nailing him to the cross. Ours is more often the betrayal of silence and omission.
As I see it betrayal has many genres. It can be personal where I betray myself. My own best self is betrayed when I don’t live up to who God created me to be, or when I do damage to myself in any one of the myriad of self destructive behaviors. Or it could be inter-personal such as with my friend Denise and me. It is when we betray another person. It can also be corporate, where we as a group betray others within the group such as with our legislative powers, to deny marriage equality or health care to some. I also believe it includes our silence when such injustices happen.
For generations, there has been a degree of silence about the inequality in access to health care for many in our community. But finally we are witnesses to the history making health care reform which will enable 30 mil. uninsured neighbors to receive the benefits of health insurance. As you have seen, though, not everyone is celebrating this legislation. The viciousness of some opponents of reform have broken all boundaries of civility and, in some cases, even of law.
At their anti-reform rally in DC last Saturday, some used nasty epithets. People spat upon Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II of Kansas City, who is African American and is also a United Methodist minister. One protester sent an email message with a picture of a noose to Congressman James Clyburn of Charleston, another distinguished African American legislator. The district offices of more than one pro-reform Democratic legislator were vandalized. And despite some barely-heard disavowals of violence and bigotry from some in public office, there is also no doubt that these same leaders have created a tone of disrespect and even contempt for the President and his party that encourages still more violent and racist outbreaks. I am outraged not just at that behavior, but at the lack of voices coming forward to condemn this behavior.
I have ask myself are we like the majority of the Disciples, shrinking into the background, betraying the spirit of Jesus today by not speaking up against these acts of in justice and now violence. Is ours the corporate betrayal of silence and omission?
This scripture passage was not done with me as I pondered betrayal and the betrayers. Look at the relationship between Jesus and Judas. Or at least Jesus’ behavior towards Judas. Even knowing Judas will fall short, will betray his best self and eventually betray Jesus.. Jesus washes his feet. Jesus breaks bread with him and shares table fellowship. Jesus does not reject Judas.
At my father’s memorial, when my friend Denise walked through the door. I hurried to her and put my arms around her saying, “I am so glad you are here.” We talked, hugged and affirmed that the past was in the past. I am so ashamed that it took me 10 years and grateful that it is finished. Denise may have betrayed me and our friendship, but I betrayed the spirit of Jesus in my actions.
Jesus knows that you and I will fall short. We will betray our best selves. We will even betray Jesus, by not following the example he set for us and yet we will always be welcome at his table. We will always be loved and embraced and brought back to this table of fellowship regardless of our weaknesses. Amen.
Thoughts for discussion:
1. Borg and Crossan are clear that at least from Mark, we do not know what Judas’ motives were.
Do his motives matter to you?
2. Are there places of betrayal in your life that you want to bring to light?
3. What is your most extravagant gift to give? Have you given it yet?
I would LOVE to hear from you! Sharalyn
2. Are there places of betrayal in your life that you want to bring to light?
3. What is your most extravagant gift to give? Have you given it yet?
I would LOVE to hear from you! Sharalyn
