April 10

John 13:18-30

John 13:18-30

FOR YOU

While I can only speak for myself, it would seem to me that as humans we often think we are much more reasonable creatures than we actually are. In the rare event that Mark calls me out on something (he is much kinder than I am in this regard), and in the rare event that I receive it well, I often say something like “Well Mark, just tell me next time I’m doing X and I’ll stop.” Then he will say something like “Sure Anne, I will tell you but you are still going to do what you want.” What a joy it is to be known so well ….

Yet, I have been pondering this idea of a knowing rebel as we sat in the Easter story last week. To me, a knowing rebel is someone who can’t help doing what they are not supposed to do, even when they have been called out on their actions by someone else. Judas, of course, would fit into this camp. At the last supper, Jesus announces “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me” (John 13:21). Six verses later, Jesus looks at Judas and says, “What you are about to do, do it quickly.” Then Judas leaves to betray Jesus. Judas knew Jesus was onto him. Judas knew that he shouldn’t do it, but he did it anyway. How often do we know what we should do and fail to do it? We feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but we move forward in our own desires anyway.

Once Judas has come to terms with what he has done, he kills himself. We often classify Judas’ betrayal as an extra abominable sin, yet in reality perhaps sometimes our sinful hearts are not so different. Fortunately, we have a hope that Judas could not see. Judas died before he could see beyond his guilt for the hope that Jesus would provide from his resurrection. Since Jesus rose from the dead, we don’t have to spend our lives on a hamster wheel aiming to do better or be a better person. Rather we can rest in God’s grace that this is exactly why Jesus died on the cross for us. Where we fall short, He is perfect. Where we know and fail to act, He has declared it is finished on the cross.

FOR YALL

Questions for families to ponder about the Easter story:

-Do you find yourself frustrated doing or saying things you don’t want to say and do?

-Why is the resurrection important for Christians?

-How can we find hope for our problems today?

-If you were plopped in Holy Week do you think you would have stayed faithful all week? When might you have turned away?

Lord, how quickly we are to critically look on the sins of others while minimizing our own. Help us to see the brokenness of our own hearts while finding hope in the finished work of Jesus.

Amen

Anne

Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! We had a B- for smiles but documentation nonetheless :/