A Contemplative Lenten Experience: Who is Jesus to you?
Scripture:
Mark 14:43 – 50 HCSB
43 While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” 45 So when he came, he went right up to Him and said, “Rabbi!”—and kissed Him. 46 Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.
48 But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as though I were a criminal,[a] to capture Me? 49 Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all deserted Him and ran away.
Luke 22:54 – 62 ESV
54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.
In this visual the cock represents Peter’s narrative during Jesus’ persecution and the hand represents Judas’ narrative.
The narratives of Peter and Judas in the persecution of Jesus illustrate Hope and the lack of it. Both Peter and Judas are followers of Jesus Christ (Rabbi). Judas, on one hand was possibly disillusioned by his Teacher’s opinions and way of life. You see Judas was good with accounts and handled the monetary affairs of this travelling group. But it appears that after being so close to his teacher he somehow missed the essence of the teachings. As it would turn out Judas pointed out to Jesus, his teacher, so the guards of the religious leaders could arrest Him. They ended up leading Jesus to death. Judas felt remorse when they were persecuting Jesus BUT he also lost hope 😦 – he hung himself.
Peter, on the other hand denied even knowing Jesus. Fearing for his life and the possibility of going through similar things that Jesus was going through he pretended he did not know Jesus. Peter sobbed when he realized what he had done ( Jesus told him that he would deny knowing him before the rooster crowed). But Peter goes on to get closer in his relationship with Jesus, his Teacher. That’s a story of hope. Peter knew Jesus loved him and would still be his Teacher. But he did acknowledge his mistake. That’s one of the important aspects of Hope.
Who is Jesus to you? Do you see the deep love Jesus has for you or is your view hazy because of your short comings? Is Jesus your Lord, whom you will follow or is he a Rabi you are unsure of? Take a few moments to think about your relationship with Jesus and His faithful relationship with you.
Prayer:
Dear Lord thank you for your relationship with us. Thank you for forgiving us of our sin and thank you for believing in us. We love you Jesus. Amen
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