John 13:21-32

 

“Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So, when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. (John 13:25-26)

 

Phew! He didn’t pass that piece of bread to me. I’m off the hook. I’m not the betrayer.

Unfortunately, the dish was a common dish, shared by all at the table, and at some point, in the meal each one had their hand in the dish.

So, I am implicated, in the betrayal of Jesus. No, I wasn’t physically present. No, I didn’t collect thirty pieces of silver to betray him. No, I didn’t fall asleep when he needed me to pray. No, I didn’t run away or deny knowing him. But I am guilty, nonetheless.

I am guilty when I treat someone else as “less than.” Less than worthy of God’s love and Jesus’ sacrifice. Of less value simply because I term them to be undesirable. We are like the Pharisees Jesus condemned. We look good on the outside, but inside are full of dead bones and all kinds of filth. (Matthew 23:27-28).

The Lenten journey is one of reflection and repentance. The forty days of sacrifice is intended to push us to examine our motivations and actions. If we choose to give up something it needs to be the hypocritical attitudes and actions that dominate our culture. It is far better to add practices of love, forgiveness, patience, and compassion to this journey than to give up dessert.

The Lenten journey ends tomorrow, Maundy Thursday. Maundy Thursday is remembered as the evening when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, (including Judas). The word Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means command. Having washed the feet of his friends Jesus then charged them, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 emphasis added)

Not an optional request, but rather a command. Those who bear the name of Christ must get our hand out of the dish of betrayal and practice the love to which we are called.