I don't know why but recently I have been thinking about Judas Iscariot. He like Thomas the doubter carries a title that won't go away Judas the betrayer.
We tell his story like this. Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, then used that money to buy a field, and then killed himself.
We don't cry over his death. He had it comin'. He betrayed Jesus because he was greedy.
He was a sell-out. And his present and future community would never forgive him for the destruction his greed caused.
Yet this is just one side of the story. I was surprised to read Matthew 27 and realize that Judas actually felt very deep remorse and returned the money.
He gave the money back quite possibly because he didn't realize the destruction his actions would cause. Haven't we at some point our lives made very bad decisions that have ended with devastating outcomes and have deeply hurt others. just like us my wonders are that Judas didn't realize that Jesus would be killed for his actions.
There is no debate over the end of Judas' life. Filled with such deep remorse and banished from his community... his only option in this life... was to kill himself.
For many good Christians, our attitude is that he had it comin'. Our grace is limited.
Jesus' response to Judas knowing the fullness of what his decision would lead to his impending death...didn't banish Judas from the table but invited him closer and offered him the cup of life.
Maybe the life and actions of Jesus are reminders that those who have made destructive decisions that have damaged their life and others shouldn't be banished from the table but should be invited to come, sit, and feast at the table.
We desperately need to hear this in a society that continues to see suicide rates rise and rise.
We all have family members or we are selves who have made bad decisions. Maybe they/we were/are addicts who have destroyed our/their life and our/their relationship with others.
Or maybe there are those that we have banished from our community because they don't see nor understand the world from our perspective.
Someone asked me today who is this church for that you are starting. Well... Judas. The church was his salvation... and it was nowhere to be found. We have for generations been okay with this story... but I hope this table that we gathering people around will be a table where people can share the pain and find healing... and their story doesn't have to end... the way so many stories have ended.
