WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
January 27th 2008
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“Would You Follow a Fool?”
Isaiah 9:1-6; I Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:1-6
Until a few years ago the reputation of Judas was pretty well set in stone. By turning Jesus over to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver assured that no one would ever-again consider naming their child Judas. That was, until a few years ago when a new translation of an ancient manuscript found in the Egyptian desert in the 1970’s made it into popular consciousness. The Gospel of Judas at least gives the impression there is another side to the whole event. And maybe, parents will begin to name their children after the newly redeemed disciple. Ok, that is going a bit far.
However, the attention given to this new discovery of an ancient manuscript invites us to consider the possibility that Judas is not the embodiment of evil. Judas, I believe was not simply, “in it for the money.” After all, Judas was with Jesus from the very beginning. He was just as committed as the other disciples. In fact, I believe that he had full faith and belief in who Jesus was and what Jesus was capable of doing. Judas problem was that he simply could not believe Jesus would be so foolish as to really die on a cross.
I believe that Judas was hoping to force Jesus hand. By getting Jesus arrested Jesus would have to finally take a stand and show his real power. Jesus could now bring in the kingdom by overthrowing the Roman Empire, and ridding the world of the corrupt religious leaders and politicians. Unfortunately Judas attempt to manipulate Jesus, like all our human attempts to manipulate him, stumbled on the foolishness of the cross. Judas could not believe that the savior of the world would submit to the humiliation of the torture and public execution known as crucifixion.
It is about as foolish and unbelievable as the promise in Isaiah. The idea that a little child will bring and end to war, famine, and the ways of empire is simply ridiculous. It might make for good speeches, sermons, and poetry but it is not the way the world works. But the Word of God continually proclaims the foolish Good News that anguish and gloom do not have the last word. A little child will lead them by way of the cross. The foolish nature at the heart of our faith is so well known to us that we can miss its power. Revisiting the story of Jesus’ temptation will help us to come face to face with the foolishness of the good news.
After forty days of preparation and prayer, Jesus is confronted by the devil, with three tests. Jesus response to these tests is his unambiguous statement that the way of foolishness, the way of hope, and the way of the cross are the heart of his ministry. When Jesus says no to the devil, he says no to the ways of self gratification. By refusing to turn stones to bread or throwing himself from the pinnacle of the temple, Jesus shows his refusal to use his power to take care of his own needs or to turn parlor tricks to prove his power. And, in Jesus final refusal to bow down to the devil shows his total commitment to this completely foolish way.
If Jesus has simply turned those stones to bread he could have used that trick to feed all the hungry people. That would have certainly increased his following and lessened suffering. And, imagine the stories people would have told after seeing the angels of God come to the rescue of what looked to be a suicide attempt? Or, for that matter, if Jesus was willing to bow down to the devil just imagine the good he could do controlling all the kingdoms of the world. There is no telling how successful the whole program might have been. Considering all the good Jesus could have done, his rejection of the devil really looks foolish from a practical standpoint. But Jesus does not act in the ways we might expect or even want. It turns out that neither the tempting of the devil or the prompting of a disciple will sway Jesus from his faithfulness to God even when faced with the cross.
Jesus willingness to act in this way is an invitation for all who seek to be his disciple. Jesus rejection of the way of the devil and his refusal to fulfill Judas’ expectations is practically foolish. Jesus offers the invitation for all people to follow in this life-giving way instead of commanding or using his power to manipulate people’s faithfulness. Despite our best attempts at unified theological systems and cultural relevance the simple truth is that we must get to the simple heart of the matter and ask the hardest question of all: “Are we willing to follow this fool who would give up all this power for us?” Amen.
January 27th 2008
Rev. Mark R. Bradshaw-Miller
“Would You Follow a Fool?”
Isaiah 9:1-6; I Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:1-6
Until a few years ago the reputation of Judas was pretty well set in stone. By turning Jesus over to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver assured that no one would ever-again consider naming their child Judas. That was, until a few years ago when a new translation of an ancient manuscript found in the Egyptian desert in the 1970’s made it into popular consciousness. The Gospel of Judas at least gives the impression there is another side to the whole event. And maybe, parents will begin to name their children after the newly redeemed disciple. Ok, that is going a bit far.
However, the attention given to this new discovery of an ancient manuscript invites us to consider the possibility that Judas is not the embodiment of evil. Judas, I believe was not simply, “in it for the money.” After all, Judas was with Jesus from the very beginning. He was just as committed as the other disciples. In fact, I believe that he had full faith and belief in who Jesus was and what Jesus was capable of doing. Judas problem was that he simply could not believe Jesus would be so foolish as to really die on a cross.
I believe that Judas was hoping to force Jesus hand. By getting Jesus arrested Jesus would have to finally take a stand and show his real power. Jesus could now bring in the kingdom by overthrowing the Roman Empire, and ridding the world of the corrupt religious leaders and politicians. Unfortunately Judas attempt to manipulate Jesus, like all our human attempts to manipulate him, stumbled on the foolishness of the cross. Judas could not believe that the savior of the world would submit to the humiliation of the torture and public execution known as crucifixion.
It is about as foolish and unbelievable as the promise in Isaiah. The idea that a little child will bring and end to war, famine, and the ways of empire is simply ridiculous. It might make for good speeches, sermons, and poetry but it is not the way the world works. But the Word of God continually proclaims the foolish Good News that anguish and gloom do not have the last word. A little child will lead them by way of the cross. The foolish nature at the heart of our faith is so well known to us that we can miss its power. Revisiting the story of Jesus’ temptation will help us to come face to face with the foolishness of the good news.
After forty days of preparation and prayer, Jesus is confronted by the devil, with three tests. Jesus response to these tests is his unambiguous statement that the way of foolishness, the way of hope, and the way of the cross are the heart of his ministry. When Jesus says no to the devil, he says no to the ways of self gratification. By refusing to turn stones to bread or throwing himself from the pinnacle of the temple, Jesus shows his refusal to use his power to take care of his own needs or to turn parlor tricks to prove his power. And, in Jesus final refusal to bow down to the devil shows his total commitment to this completely foolish way.
If Jesus has simply turned those stones to bread he could have used that trick to feed all the hungry people. That would have certainly increased his following and lessened suffering. And, imagine the stories people would have told after seeing the angels of God come to the rescue of what looked to be a suicide attempt? Or, for that matter, if Jesus was willing to bow down to the devil just imagine the good he could do controlling all the kingdoms of the world. There is no telling how successful the whole program might have been. Considering all the good Jesus could have done, his rejection of the devil really looks foolish from a practical standpoint. But Jesus does not act in the ways we might expect or even want. It turns out that neither the tempting of the devil or the prompting of a disciple will sway Jesus from his faithfulness to God even when faced with the cross.
Jesus willingness to act in this way is an invitation for all who seek to be his disciple. Jesus rejection of the way of the devil and his refusal to fulfill Judas’ expectations is practically foolish. Jesus offers the invitation for all people to follow in this life-giving way instead of commanding or using his power to manipulate people’s faithfulness. Despite our best attempts at unified theological systems and cultural relevance the simple truth is that we must get to the simple heart of the matter and ask the hardest question of all: “Are we willing to follow this fool who would give up all this power for us?” Amen.
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