Lent Day 38: Fully aware of injustice

The apostle John records one of the strangest events in human history. God is betrayed by his inner circle, one of his best friends, and those responsible to fairly enforce the law he has given Israel.

Each time I read this, I am gripped by the injustice of it. Jesus has warned Judas and Peter that they will fail him. He knows what lies ahead. Neither his mock trial nor the desertion of his disciples will take him by surprise.

Here's how John tells the story (18:1-27): 

When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’
‘

Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied.

> "I AM" was the sacred name of God in the Old Testament (Jewish scriptures.) When Jesus declares himself the "I AM," he is clearly identifying himself as God. A wave of power goes from him and knocks his captors to the ground.

‘I am he,’ Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.

Again he asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’

‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they said.

Jesus answered, ‘I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.' This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: ‘I have not lost one of those you gave me.

> Jesus is protective of those he loves. And they are protective of him.

> One thing you can say about Peter: he is quick to react. I wonder sometimes what happened to Malchus the servant. Did he come to believe in Christ because he was healed? Was he present at Pentecost when the followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit? Or did he walk away, his ear and miracle forgotten?

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

Jesus commanded Peter, ‘Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?’

Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. (Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.)

> In spite of the warnings of Jesus, Judas and Peter interact in ways that help condemn Jesus. Peter denies knowing Jesus - his rabbi and close friend - not once but three times. Yet Jesus will not toss him away. He will not abandon Peter. He will restore and renew this man and use his natural leadership and impulsive nature to build the Kingdom of God.

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant-girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

‘You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?’ she asked Peter.

He replied, ‘I am not.’

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood round a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’

> No court in the world would think this is a fair trial. There is a set agenda and a pre-determined outcome. Yet Jesus does not give in or compromise his mission. He stays on course, regardless of the horrors ahead. 

> Do we do the same? Or do we - like Peter - seek an easier way out that is more acceptable to people around us?

When Jesus said this, one of the officials near by slapped him in the face. ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded.

‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, ‘You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?’
He denied it, saying, ‘I am not.’

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, ‘Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?’ 

Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a cock began to crow.

> Sometimes, having fallen into a bad habit or sin (again!), I despair of returning yet once more to God to beg his forgiveness. Matthew 26:75 tells us how Peter reacts to his denial. His heart is broken and he is contrite. How could he have failed his master?

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

> Luke (the physician who travels with Paul and knows Peter later on) writes that "the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the cock crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly."

> One of the beautiful things about scripture is that it faithfully shows human nature and God's grace and mercy. 

> The tenderness Jesus shows to Peter is the same lovingkindness he shows to you and me. Where do you need the forgiveness and mercy of God in your own life?