Gleanings – Join Me Under the Bus
Mark 14:12-25
“Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
It is so easy to throw Judas under the bus. What a scoundrel! Whether driven by desire for revolution or profit or
Close Enough to Kiss
some combination of the two, Judas sold out his mentor and friend Jesus. The wheels on the bus go round and round.
But that’s a bit too easy, isn’t it? One the most haunting hymns in Holy Week, is an African-American spiritual, Were you there? It is a penetrating question for anyone with ears, believing or not frankly.
OK, we did not betray Jesus with a kiss. But surely we can identify ourselves with one of the players in this epic drama!? There is Pilate in power and trying to maintain it. Appease the crowds and keep the peace he thinks. This will serve me well. There is Peter the bold and brave. “Who? Me? No, I don’t know him” Not once but three times he bails on his hero, mentor and friend.
The cast of characters is large. There are religious leaders who find themselves threatened and when backed into a corner, lash out. We find nothing godly or merciful in their response. Then there is the mob. They love stadium sporting events. “Crucify him. Crucify him.” Found yourself yet? OK, if you are still struggling what about the many who were silent in the face of grave injustice?
It is so easy to throw Judas under the bus. I just wish I could argue credibly that the same wheels don’t roll over me again and again. Unfortunately, I was there.
April 5th, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Peter gives me hope. It is easy to be bold when you are there with a group to back you up. It is much harder when you are alone. He was even warned by Jesus that it would happen. The anguish he felt as he heard the rooster crow must have been soul crushing.