Prayer: Jesus, how can you forgive me for all my sins? Even though I do not deserve it, you promise to receive me as I am. You excuse my mistakes; you pardon me for the pain I inflict on others. Help me to accept that love and to make amends daily. Amen.
Reading: John 13:21-32 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: If you, like me, consider the Book of Faith questions after reading these passages, you may understand why I get stuck on the first question. I have always struggled with this version of the Last Supper from John. I find myself feeling sorry for Judas. Jesus seems to select him, handing him the oil-dipped bread after telling John it would identify his betrayer. Satan enters into him. And after Judas leaves, Jesus proclaims His glorification. We know that Judas’ act of infamy sets into motion Jesus’ self-sacrifice for our sins. Judas will die at his own hands before the crucifixion. He is an instrument to the destruction of the son of Man in human form, yet a necessary tool for crafting our salvation. It is a confusing and troubling text. I try to focus on Jesus’ unreserved compassion. When I read how Jesus was troubled in spirit, I wonder if some of his dismay was for Judas. He knew what was being asked of his friend; He must have felt hurt knowing his friend would turn on Him, but He would have understood also what the guilt would do to Judas. And why did He tell John? Could it have been He hoped John would have compassion for Judas? John remains silent after Jesus, to John alone, identifies Judas. John doesn’t protest or try to stop Iscariot. Jesus’ words to Iscariot direct him to do quickly what you are going to do; Jesus seems to advise Judas to get it over with, knowing the deed must be done in order to fulfill God’s plan for humanity’s deliverance. We are promised a final judgment, a time when all might turn to Jesus and God, receive forgiveness for the most egregious of sins, and be admitted into the kingdom. Will Judas Iscariot be given that chance? I choose to believe that he might. The compassion of God as Father, Son and Spirit is limitless, and His glory shall have no end. --Heather LeBlanc
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