St. Matthew 26:20-25
Dearly beloved,
Our Lenten journey continues today with our pondering the betrayal of
our Lord. It is a very difficult moment in the gospel narrative. We
know from the gospel that Judas Iscariot was numbered with the twelve
disciples. Judas was with Jesus from the beginning of the Lord’s
earthly ministry. In chapter 10, St. Matthew lists Judas last.
Because of his betrayal of the Lord, Judas will forever have the mark
of the curse upon his name. Here is how the record reads, “Simon the
Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him”(St. Matthew
10:4).
The gospel for today focuses on our Lenten theme, “Sacred Head Now
Wounded.” The setting is the upper room at the time of the Passover,
what we typically refer to as our Maundy Thursday. Jesus is serving
the disciples the Passover meal, which is a very elaborate ritual.
Jesus and the disciples are right in the midst of eating the Passover
meal when Jesus tells them that “one of you will betray me.”
Surprisingly, they all begin asking “Lord, is it I?” What is at work
here? Either they are very mature spiritually, or they at least
realize their capabilities. We know that the disciples are not
understanding things correctly, because they don’t seem to understand
when Jesus says that He must be betrayed and die and rise again. Even
on the day of Christ’s resurrection they had lost hope. But even an
unseasoned faith understands the human frailty that we are all born
with.
We understand sin’s capabilities and the flesh’s enticements. This
is, after all, the reason that we cry out to God and seek Him. Jesus
told them that it is the one who dips bread with Jesus at the same
time. It was Judas. Jesus speaks something that would be very
painful to hear: “The Son of Man goes just as it is written of Him,
but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have
been good for that man if he had not been born.”
It sounds like Jesus casting judgment upon Judas, but it is really a
merciful statement. Jesus feels compassion for Judas even as He knows
what Judas is about to do. This betrayal has been prophesied of old
in the Psalms, “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate
my bread, has lifted up his heel against me”(Psalm 41:9).
The eating of bread together keeps coming up. This is a statement of
fellowship. Sharing bread with Jesus is mercy and love on Christ’s
part. Jesus wasn’t angry with Judas. He was sad for him. Jesus saw
what the grips of sin could do to a person, and Jesus was mournful.
Jesus, the Sacred Head soon to be wounded, is love. We see this
unfortunate situation with Judas, but we see a similar betrayal by St.
Peter in his three-fold denial of Jesus later that night.
But with Peter there was repentance and Jesus restored Him through
forgiveness. This is what you are to ponder here in Lent. It is
because of sin and human frailty that Jesus came in the flesh and was
wounded. As the prophet Isaiah speaks, “He[Jesus] was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement
for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed”(Isaiah
53:5).
Jesus came to redeem mankind from sin, even Judas’ sin. He died for
Peter’s sin of denial; He died for the disciples’ inability to find
hope in His death and burial. He died for the Emmaus disciples’
sadness as they walked on the road thinking all was lost in Christ’s
death. His death wasn’t the end. His suffering is your peace. His
death is your life. What we are to ponder in Lent is your hope! All
is not lost, but there is much to gain.
Your spiritual journey has only begun. The disciples, through the
love of Christ given, grew slowly. It took them some time to fully
understand all that Jesus had taught. Even so it is with you. The
blood of Jesus has washed away your sins. Those sins that keep
telling you that you are too sinful and unholy to be Christ’s child
are removed from you. Jesus was wounded and died on the cross for
those very sins. It is not your own holiness that sets you free, but
the Sacred Head of Jesus—the Holy One Himself—Who makes you holy.
It is a pure gift. This is what life in the church is meant to
convey. We live in a strange paradox and St. Paul relates this well:
“[we live] as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making
many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things”(2
Corinthians 6:10). Jesus would have forgiven Judas if he would only
have repented of his sin. We don’t ever hear of Judas repenting, but
instead he takes his own life.
But for you—continue on Christ’s road, picking up your cross and
following Him. Jesus’ way is love, mercy, forgiveness, and
steadfastness. It was important and significant that Jesus mentioned
that the betrayer was the one who dipped bread with Jesus into the
bowl. The same goes for Psalm 41 mentioning the friend who ate His
bread but then betrayed the Lord. Sharing bread at the table was the
sign of fellowship, companionship, oneness, and mutual love.
Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper for the church as it journeys
onward in this world. Jesus comes under the bread and wine and “dips
bread into the bowl” with you. Your participation at the Lord’s table
is a sign of Christ’s love. Your eating and drinking of Christ’s body
and blood is Christ’s way of reminding you of your mutual
companionship with Him. It is a statement of your connectedness to
Jesus and that He regards you highly.
You are loved by God in the most meaningful way. His thoughts are on
you. His love shall overflow to you, and He will strengthen you on
this journey. He will teach you. He will bring to you spiritual
growth through His holy word. He is always there when you need to
confess, when you need to be forgiven, when you need to be
strengthened. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, but for you
He shall always be faithful. He is our Rock and Redeemer, our God and
Lord—The sacred One in whom we live and abide from now unto eternity.
Amen.
--
Rev. Chad Kendall
www.frchadius.blogspot.com
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lowell, Indiana
www.trinitylowell.org
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