Readings
Joshua 8:1-22
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 26:47-56 NKJV
Meditation
Over the weekend the story turned to holy week. We find ourselves in the Garden of Gethsemene. The Matthew reading has us looking at the betrayal. This is a poor reflection on me but other images of Judas have crowded out the biblical witness. Dante’s picture if I feel snooty. U2′s In the Name of Love comes up as well as Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Judas. U2′s just mentions the kiss, one of them betrayed with a kiss. And that that kiss seems to be the core of this passage. And it boggles me, why a kiss? Why not just a point – that one! You are betraying the man you have followed as messiah after all. And Jesus’s reponse, “Friend”. To have either such anger at unfulfilled wishes to betray with a kiss, or such desire to move it along faster, make the kingdom come now Jesus, sealed with a kiss because you don’t view it as a betrayal but a poke in the right direction. And Jesus replies with the question – Friend, why are you here? Examine yourself Judas, Friend. We find that question helpful. Not in a navel gazing philosophy – why are we here? – manner. But in a deep context, a situation too sticky and immediate, why are we here, in this situation, engaged in a kiss. And it is law – those situations are the recognition of a long string of sin. But it is gospel – recognition is necessary for repentance.
When you find yourself in that close immediate context of sin, may you remember the Lord’s question – why are you here? – and take refuge in the gospel. Amen.
