April 7, 2017

God’s Unfailing Love

Barry Sloan | Read Matthew 26:14-16, 31-56

(Image: Pixabay)

Matthew 26:14-16, 31-56

¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and said, “What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in. ³¹ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Tonight you will all fall away because of me. This is because it is written,I will hit the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will go off in all directions. ³² But after I’m raised up, I’ll go before you to Galilee.” ³³ Peter replied, “If everyone else stumbles because of you, I’ll never stumble.” ³⁴ Jesus said to him, “I assure you that, before the rooster crows tonight, you will deny me three times.” ³⁵ Peter said, “Even if I must die alongside you, I won’t deny you.” All the disciples said the same thing. ³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to the disciples, “Stay here while I go and pray over there.” ³⁷ When he took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, he began to feel sad and anxious. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “I’m very sad. It’s as if I’m dying. Stay here and keep alert with me.” ³⁹ Then he went a short distance farther and fell on his face and prayed, “My Father, if it’s possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. However—not what I want but what you want.” ⁴⁰ He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me? ⁴¹ Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” ⁴² A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.” ⁴³ Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep. ⁴⁴ But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time. ⁴⁵ Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human Oneto be betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.” ⁴⁷ While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. ⁴⁸ His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss.” ⁴⁹ Just then he came to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi.” Then he kissed him. ⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear. ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Or do you think that I’m not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups of angels right away? ⁵⁴ But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?” ⁵⁵ Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn’t arrest me. ⁵⁶ But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away.

For the past three years Jesus has shared his life and ministry
with his disciples—a small group of simple but committed
men who have enjoyed intimate company and fellowship with
Jesus and witnessed his miracles firsthand. They have followed
him faithfully—if at times questioningly—every step of the way.
Yet if we were to read today’s passage in isolation, without any
previous knowledge of the story, we would not only doubt that
these men were his disciples but also that they belonged to his
most intimate circle of friends. Judas sells him out for thirty
pieces of silver. With a kiss! Peter, who promises he will never
fail Jesus, disowns him. Again. And again. In Gethsemane, in
what could possibly be described as Jesus’ darkest hour, when
he needs the love and support of his friends most, they fail him.
They fall asleep. Twice! These men, Jesus’ closest companions
who have been with him all the way, now betray him, disappoint
him, disown him, and desert him.

The words of the text speak for themselves. They are heartbreaking.
”What will you give me if I betray him?” ”Truly I tell
you, one of you will betray me.” ”This very night, before the
cock crows, you will deny me three times.” ”Could you not stay
awake with me one hour?” ”Put your sword back into its place.”
”Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

How well do the words of the text speak for us? We differ
little from the Christ-followers of first-century Palestine. Our
faith can be just as fickle, our loyalty just as conditional and our
following just as hesitant. Lent is a good time to remember that.

Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. May the power of your unfailing love teach me your ways. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read Matthew 21:1-11

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Lectionary Week

April 3–9, 2017

Scripture Overview

These texts raise questions about who truly welcomes Jesus and under what circumstances. Isaiah 50 recalls the hostility that inevitably follows servanthood. A moment of acceptance, even welcome, will not hide from the servant the fact of the rejection to come. Psalm 118 claims that the city and the victory and the “one who comes” all belong to God. Any victory declared by human beings is bound to vanish as quickly as the day itself. The Philippians hymn asserts Jesus’ own determination to be obedient even to death and God’s conse- quent exaltation of Jesus above all creation. Even in the Gospel accounts, Jesus’ entry is one of meekness and humility rather than of power and pride.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29. How do you rejoice in “the day that the LORD has made”?
• Read Isaiah 50:4-9a. The writer notes that for Isaiah, suffer- ing does not signal divine indifference but plays a part in the world’s bigger story. When have you interpreted your suffering as part of a bigger story?
• Read Philippians 2:5-11. What earthly traits of Jesus’ are evident in your daily living? Do you see yourself living a countercultural lifestyle?
• Read Matthew 21:1-11. Where are you in the Palm Sunday story? How do you respond to Jesus as he enters?

Respond by posting a prayer.

I join many of those who will pray for you as you seek to discern what you are called to be at this moment. May God grant you the courage to fulfill that calling. May we all open our eyes and see the misery, open our ears and hear the cries of God’s people, and, like God through the Lord Jesus Christ, be incarnate amongst them.”

View a growing list of resources for the spiritual work of overcoming racism.

—Rev. Sidwell Mokgothu, Limpopo Synod Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa and board member for Africa Upper Room Ministries

God’s Unfailing Love

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Matthew 26:14-16, 31-56

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