Based on Matthew 26:69-27:8
Originally performed @ Evergreen Presbyterian on April 17, 2011
By Rev. Sandy Lacey and Rev. Dr. Joseph Johnson
And on March 24, 2024 by Rev. Sandy Lacey and R.P. Higgins
Today’s sermon invites you to use your imagination. Today we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the waving of palms and the shouts of people as his parade wound through the streets. According to John’s Gospel Jesus has been performing many signs and wonders, including the raising of his friend Lazarus back from the dead. The disciples have been in awe of the things he has done. And while some of the disciples were a little troubled by his acceptance of Mary bathing his feet with expensive perfume, and all of them were absolutely blown away by his insistence upon washing their feet at supper on Thursday night. Today, we are invited to imagine a conversation between two of his disciples, Peter and Judas, in the early morning hours on Friday. To set the stage, Peter is running away from the courtyard where Jesus is being interrogated and Judas is running to the high Priest to try to return the money that was given him to facilitate Jesus’ arrest. Their paths cross and we eavesdrop on their conversation . . .
[Peter:]
If I never see another courtyard again . . .
How could I do it?
And before a servant girl, at that.
Who is afraid of a servant girl!?
But you know, as I do, it wasn’t the girl that gave me fright;
it was admitting . . . before danger . . .
that I had been with him,
that I am with him.
She was right, you know?
I was with Jesus. Was with Jesus.
Now what?
At a time when he needed me most,
at a time when I need to know him most,
I cowered at the chance.
And now, in the darkness,
looking back at the courtyard,
my best intentions flowing down my cheeks
in tears of lament.
What was that?
An animal?
A soldier?
Who goes there?
Declare yourself or defend yourself!
Judas? Is that you?
[Judas:]
Yes Peter, it is I Judas – the zealot.
It is who – it is what – I am.
He knew that about me when he chose me as a disciple.
He knew that I am concerned about all the injustice I see.
He knows the Roman system of government is oppressive – its grip of power
making sure the wealthy keep getting wealthier while the poor keep getting
poorer. It’s our people, Peter – they cannot continue to live this way.
They need a leader, one who will show them . . . show us . . . a new way.
I thought that was what he was about, until he started talking about love,
mercy – you know that no successful revolution can be built on those things.
He knows the people are – he knows I am – looking for a Savior, a Messiah,
that will bring an end to injustice and liberate all of us .
Peter, have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing
to do just about anything to accomplish it? Have you ever wanted to take
matters into your own hands to fulfill the dream you have? I saw this whole
thing playing out a bit differently in my mind.
You see we zealots are passionate about bringing in a different reign and
we will do anything to help it be accomplished. We will even push
a reluctant Messiah to establish his authority and kingdom.
(Sometimes leaders have to be pushed into doing the obvious thing that is
needed.) We zealots will do ANYTHING.
I am a zealot. He knew that about me when he chose me.
[Peter:]
I hated you at that moment in the garden,
marching there proudly at the head of that mob
receiving him with a deceiving embrace, fingering him with a kiss!
Aaah, the hypocrisy of it all.
I would hate you still
If I get past what I did in the courtyard.
But I think myself now no better than you.
All he ever wanted from any of us was a strong ‘yes.’
“Yes to who he is.
Yes to our following him.
Yes to the things he taught us.
Yes to his way.
Yes!
And when given the chance,
I said ‘no.’
One little two letter word,
changed my life;
One little three letter word,
could have given me life.
Why does it happen, Judas?
What saps a person’s courage
Just when courage is needed most?
Is it shame?
Is it fear?
I was scared; I admit it.
And three times I disowned him, just like he said I would.
Never did I think that a rooster’s crow could awake
in me such sorrow.
One little word.
Why is it so hard to say, ‘yes’ to Jesus?
More than we like to admit it,
we understand Rome’s power motives
more than his love motives.
All he ever wanted was ‘yes.’
And I said, ‘no.’
Why God’s wrath did not consume me on the spot,
I’ll never know.
Where was the judgment I so deserved?
I can still see his face.
Looking at me as that one little denying word
escaped my tongue . . .
and revealed my heart.
But it was not a look of wrath that he gave me, or disappointment.
It was a look of sympathy, maybe mercy.
How is that when I respond with denial,
He responds with love?
When you kissed him, Judas,
did you see his face?
[Judas:]
When I kissed him, I expected to see shock or maybe even a sly wink –
like it was our secret plan all along . . .
but no, it was a very knowing, very sad, and very confrontational look.
I knew in an instant that I was wrong. Power and might was immediately
redefined for me.
All of a sudden it became clear to me . . .
His idea of saving us; his idea of righting the wrongs; his idea of fixing
injustice is not through military might and armed power.
When he talked about “setting the captives free,” he did not mean a
military coup – he meant something larger than what I imagined.
I was so sure of things . . .
The beginning of the week seemed so promising – lots of people were
seeking us out and shouting “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem on
a donkey. It was a great moment and I remember thinking, “this is it! This is
what the prophets predicted!”
I became even more excited as he became angry in the Temple and confronted
the religious authorities in their complicity with Rome. He really let them
have it as he overturned their tables and shamed them for trampling on the
poor while they continue to get rich.
There was a shift in the air, though, when he allowed the woman to anoint his
feet with expensive perfume . . . I could not understand it!
Why would he allow such an extravagant waste of money to be spent on him?
I should have known then that something was amiss in his response to us
when we questioned him – “the poor you will always have with you but
I will only be here a little while longer.” ????
Yes, I should have known then that He was about more than settling a score
with Rome; more than gathering an army, more than power gained through
might, more than my agenda . . .
Yes, I now realize that instead of trying to force him into what I wanted,
I should have been asking him to mold me into what he wanted . . .
[Peter:]
None of that matters, now.
The legions of Rome have prevailed over such as us.
Back in Galilee, it was all so settled.
Certainty and allegiance came easy then,
when eyes were opened and bellies were filled.
How did it go so wrong?
Why do those in power love power more than people?
But now, power has prevailed,
and love swings in the balance.
It is finished.
Out here in the night
there is nothing more to do
but wait for the approaching dawn.
[Judas:]
I am not sure I can face the dawn, Peter. The world has gone dark for me.
I cannot keep this money – I must see if there is something I can do . . .
Can I return it? Can I undo what I have done? It is poison to me . . .
I must be on my way . . . while there is still time . . .
The world has gone dark. Now I am not sure that light can ever shine in the darkness.