Wednesday, April 16, 2014

John 13:21-32 (Wednesday)

Year A - Holy Week Wednesday or Clarification Week Wednesday
April 16, 2014

The sadness here is not about betrayal as such. Its result triggers Jesus’ expected end-point of arriving in Jerusalem. This same result could have come directly from the Romans or those Jewish leaders afraid of the failure of another rebellion. In this results-driven world we continue to be after end-points that aren’t dependent upon one process as they are easier to achieve—if at first you don’t achieve by losing, you can try and try again.

In John, it is Jesus who betrays Judas Iscariot. Jesus doesn’t raise a question or tell a parable, he gives permission by way of bread and thereby encourages Judas’ action.

Being the optimistic folks they are being trained to be, the disciples miss all this with their overactive speculations.

Note here that Jesus claims glorification at this time of betrayal. How much earlier might Jesus have claimed this “glorification”? Does it go back to the glory-hallelujah of angels in Bethlehem? Since we are in John, as far back as “in the beginning”? Perhaps his experience in Jerusalem as a lad? Surely as far back as Baptismal Belovedness? One or more of the healings or other miracles?

Why would Jesus claim glorification, resurrection, or vindication at this point?

Since it is the last Wednesday of Lent, remember the ashes of the first Wednesday—from dust you have come; to dust you shall return. Did you claim glorification, resurrection, new life weeks ago? If not, perhaps next year. Or, perhaps yet today? Will you wait for Sunday to make glory officially yours?





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