I must admit, I don’t really know how best to approach the discussion of the betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus, so I’ll just write about a few of the many many lessons I take from these events and hope everyone else will share how they perceive these passages.
I realize that it is in these verses that I begin to comprehend how man and God were one in Jesus. Jesus’ deep and intense human emotions of fear, anxiety, and depression-- and of courage, and faith, and determination—coupled with the strength of will to fulfill divine plan and prophecy show me over and over that he is the perfect example of what I should strive for. And that as he was tested in all things as we are, but did not sin, he is the only one qualified to be our advocate before God.
Also, as I was re-reading these passages, something jumped out at me that I had never really noticed before. In Chapter 27:4, when Judas remorsefully returns the money he received for betraying Jesus’ innocent blood, the chief priests and elders say, “What is that to us? It is your responsibility!” And a few verses later (27:24) when the crowds are standing before Pilate shouting for Jesus’ execution, Pilate says to them, “I am innocent of the blood of this person. It is your responsibility!” This phrase, translated sometimes as “You see to it!” strikes me in a very personal way. Here were men who had the power to make a difference in the course of these events (although of course I take into account the necessary fulfillment of the prophecies and the fruition of God’s plan of salvation that came through Jesus’ death). The chief priests could have called off their cry for Jesus’ blood. Pilate could have chosen to risk the anger of the people to save the life of an innocent and just man. But neither chose the right way—they chose the selfish way. By placing the responsibility and consequences of their actions on others, they attempted to justify their sins. I’ve done this too, and that’s why it strikes so close to home.
What a powerful series of events!! I feel so inadequate to discuss them!!
3 comments:
Hey Steph - I'm sorry to have added a redundant post to your assigned portion of the gospel. I was asked to fill in yesterday, but I'm glad that you were able to join.
The story of Judas' remorse is interesting. The betrayal of Christ by Judas and the denial of Christ by Peter are interwoven stories, both occur in chapter 26. The end of chapter 26 shifts focus from Christ's mock-trial before the Sanhedrin to the fulfillment of Christ's prophecy concerning Peter's denial, the last verses saying,
At that he began to curse and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately a cock crowed. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: "Before the cock crows you will deny me three times." He went out and began to weep bitterly.
The evangelist adds only two verses of sparse narration, quickly explaining the transfer of Christ from the Sanhedrin to Pilate, before returning to the theme of remorse in the story of Judas returning his blood-money. Judas confesses his crime "saying, 'I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.' They said, 'What is that to us? Look to it yourself.'"
Steph pointed out that this "Look to it yourself" and Pilate's self-acquittal are shifts of responsibility by those who could have acted justly, but there is a kind of hidden hope behind their finger-pointing. Admission of responsibility for sin and subsequent repentance are prerequisites to receiving forgiveness from God. If Judas had truly "seen to it," he might have come to repentance. Instead, Judas' response to the chief priests' taunt is despair and suicide.
The story of Peter's denial and remorse contrasts Judas' story in its end. John concludes his gospel with the story of Peter racing back to Christ Who receives him, feeds him, and forgives him (John 21:2-18). So, in our moments of despair, we recall the end of Judas and the end of Peter and we remember to run back to Christ when we have turned from Him.
To go along with our reading and contemplation of Christ's Passion:
He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted,
he returned no insult;
when he suffered,
he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25
"By his wounds you have been healed."
That phrase has meant a lot to me in the past few years; how powerful are words, are wounds, is love!
Steph, you did a good job with a difficult passage ("difficult" to say the least!). I hadn't looked at the blame-shifting that went on in such a pattern as you present it. I always struggle with Peter; he never seems to be able to keep his mouth shut and is forever running to and from grace! But perhaps this is because I recognise too much of a human in him:)
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