Maundy Thursday

 I think a lot about Judas today. 

I think about the script I was taught as a kid, and cringe. 

I hear the shouts from the crowd sing "Crucify him," and I see the Christians weep.

Yet, I hear those same Christians shout "Justice!" when they see the criminal executed. 

Judas, one of Jesus' closest friends betrayed him. Yet, when Jesus was nailed to the cross it was for Judas, too. 

There are very loud Christians today shouting for justice, and rejoicing at death. The death of those who do not believe the same things they do and do not cling to the same ideologies. 

This profane apathy for others is what killed Jesus. This religious fervor of clinging longly to a way of life that is comfortable and familiar. Clinging to people who think and act like us. 

That same attitude lead to Christ's crucifixion.

But today, I think about Judas, because the story I learned where Judas used the money he earned betraying Jesus to buy the field he killed himself in is incredibly heartbreaking. 

Yet, as a child, I thought, "he is getting what he deserves."

I heard about Peter's denial of Jesus, and thought, "he is getting what he deserves for being so prideful"

I think what we don't see is that it could have been any of them. Jesus doesn't name Judas at the last supper for a reason. 

Why do we rejoice in his death?

Jesus calls over and over again for an excess of grace. 

Even when they didn't deserve it.

Even when death was on the line.

When the woman was being stoned, Jesus didn't shout for justice like the crowd did, he called for mercy.

Who among us can cast the first stone? 

Who among us can't say that we wouldn't have betrayed Jesus. 

Who among us look at ministries that are reaching a different demographic and think, "shouldn't they be putting their money to better use?"

When we see worship that looks and sounds different do we think, "wouldn't that money be better off going to a ministry that looks like mine?"