Today’s scripture: Mark 14:10-11 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
“Everything happens for a reason.” How many times have I heard that! And we say it particularly when we can’t figure why something happened; we just can’t stand not understanding! Life is so very complex and intertwined, like a messy ball of yarn, and yet we want it to be so very simple and linear. Could it have to do with our desire to be in control?
Mark’s Gospel, probably the oldest of the four, gives no reason whatsoever for Judas’s betrayal of Jesus. He “went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them” (verse 10b). Matthew indicates Judas’s motive was greed: “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” (Matthew 26:15). Luke suggests that it was demon possession: “Then Satan entered into Judas” (Luke 22:3a). And, of course, the Gospel according to Jesus Christ Superstar presents the possibility that Judas just wanted to start the insurrection against the oppressive Romans. But Mark leaves it open, as though any reason in the world, or no reason at all, could be sufficient to betray God’s Anointed One. Which gives me pause. Holy Week services always bring me to this same conclusion: I have betrayed my Lord. Why doesn’t really matter.
Last Maundy Thursday while worshipping at Jesus Metropolitan Community Church, I read the words on our communion table: “All are welcome.” For the first time in my life, I wondered, “Was even Judas welcome? Did Jesus invite him to share the bread and the cup at the Last Supper?” I scurried home and did some checking. All the Gospels have Jesus announcing that the one who would betray him was sitting at the table with him. That announcement is before the partaking of the elements in Mathew and Mark; but in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus clearly says that after sharing the bread and the cup.
Knowing full well what Judas was up to, Jesus welcomed him to the table and offered to him the signs of his own broken body and shed blood, the signs of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. If Judas was included that first time, who do we dare exclude now? Because Judas was included, surely all of us who have betrayed our Lord since that time, who’ve wanted to be in control for whatever reason, or for no reason, continue to be included. Thanks be to God!
Thought for the day: I’m not perfect, and I’m not going to be perfect this side of heaven, yet God knows me, loves me, and welcomes and accepts me just as I am. Grace abounds!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.