“Only the church could produce a Judas.” (Harold Ward)

“Only the church could produce a Judas.” (Harold Ward)

He came through the inter-sanctum of Jesus’ followers. He had responded to the captivating voice of Christ, “Follow me!” His hands divided the bread and fish that fed 5,000, he witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus, and was in the boat and heard the Master order the winds and waves, “Peace, Be still.” So far as we know he was a witness to each and every miracle in the gospels, and was a close listener to the Words of Life simply and eloquently taught from the lips of the Word Incarnate. He and a partner appointed by Jesus traveled about the country proclaiming the Kingdom of God, and they returned to Christ saying, “Lord, devils are subject unto us through thy name.”  He was the one that after the heinous crime, those who knew him best would say, “I just would have never thought it, He was such a good person,” or “he appeared to be the rock of the community.”

One might consider, at this point the dichotomous yet parallel stories of Judas and of Barabbas…their lives were lived a million miles apart, so far as lifestyles went.

                The gospel authors describe Barabbas variously as a bandit, a thief, and a participant in political insurrection. Mark clearly stated,” And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.” At best he was a member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea during the first century a.d. militantly opposing the Roman domination of Palestine. At worst he was a local rabble-rouser who was guilty of murder.

            And on the other hand Judas manifested the attributes of “the peacemaker,” and walked and talked with those who were taught that rule was not brought about by insurrection, but by love, temperance, and care for your fellowman.

            Yet, at the end of that day long ago, it was Barabbas who was set free, and it was Judas who died in indignity and shame!

                Anthony Quinn starred as Barabbas, in a movie by that name, back in 1961. The writer, Pär Lagerkvist, exercised much literary license in his novel, as Quinn lived out the turbulent life of the freed Barabbas all the way from the sulfur mines of Sicily to the gladiatorial arenas of Rome, to the catacombs of the dead; having finally placed his faith in Christ, he dies. His death was by crucifixion but giving the spiritual picture of instead of dying in sin, he finally eternally died to sin. Although it is a novel, it is difficult at the end of the movie not to say, “Barabbas, Rest in Peace.”

                Judas demonstrated what I call, “Intentional Meanness” in his betrayal of Christ. There was a part of his heart that he kept untouched by the Master’s tender care and love. It was covered by greed and some say political ambition (Lord knows, in our land today one is about the same as the other), and was carefully hidden until that dark night ages ago! That is why Dad always insisted that only the church could produce a Judas, not the world!

                How often do we hear of spiritual meanness on the part of some crusty “saint” betraying someone who falls under their judgment, and they do it for much less than 30 shekels! The spirit of Judas remains alive and well in the annals of religion today.

                “Judas, may God have mercy on your soul!”

               “Barabbas, Rest in Peace!”

Mercy, Grace, and Love from Grace Gardens

"Bahhhh!!" means, "I'm Lost"

     There was a day in the life of Jesus that He was encircled by "Tax Collectors and sinners," according to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 15: 1-7.
To some this would be an oxymoron and very easy to relate the IRS to sinners!! Well anyway the Pharisees and teachers of the law took issue with Christ consorting with such wretched specimens of  their community. 
     It was in that moment that they muttered words that well could have been the greatest compliment that Jesus received here on earth,  “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
     As was often His custom upon hearing the mutterings outside the circle of the community rejects, He told a story, or actually 3 stories about something that was "lost": A lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Now for the homeleticians here's your good 3 point outline. 1. A Lost Sheep that Wandered Away, 2. A coin that was Lost in the House (Think of the house as the church and the coin as a person). and 3. A Lost Son that had Determinedly left on His Own.
     Focus with me for a bit on the lost sheep! This was a great picture of the agriculture of the day. Shepherding was a very common vocation, but at the same time a smelly one as well as one that was not in line with the elite and efite of the times. Ahh, in those days there were no prickly barb-wire fences to keep the livestock in a given pasture, that was the Shepherd's responsibility! He watched them during the day and brought them in to a small "fold" for the night. There they were safe from a prowling wolf, or lion or bear! David earned his certificate of merit as a Shepherd when he killed both a lion and a bear in defense of his sheep. It occurs to me also that in the fold the sheep could be close together to keep warm from the night chill...maybe that's another thought to be considered, "it's always warmer in the fold!"
     This particular Shepherd with whom Christ was acquainted had 100 sheep in his flock, no doubt he would count them 1 by 1 as they went through the fold gate in the evenings until the very last was "tucked in" for the night. But horror of horrors, on this night the count stopped at 99!!! Somebody was missing!!! Roll call had been missed!! It was time to lock the gate and go looking and calling!
     I recall that in years gone by the churches had roster rolls of the Sunday School classes where attendance was kept for each member...then the Superintendent would later announce those classes that were 100% in attendance. I do recall that a 100% class was a "high" accomplishment that was celebrated with lots of hand clapping and cheer! (Once in a pastorate I promoted, organized, and the church carried out a "100% attendance Sunday!" However, as much as we encouraged, announced, and promoted our special day the best we could get was 93%, while that was not %100, it was greatly better than the usual 60 to 70%, so we clapped, cheered, and patted ourselves on the back for a job well done.)
However this Shepherd was not content with even 99%! There was one sheep lost and he must be responsible for it! So with the fold gate safely latched, he moved toward the areas where the sheep had fed that day.I hear him calling out for the sheep and wishing to hear just the faintest, "Bahhh" from the thick brambles and craggy rocks. The search went on until from somewhere in the brambles he hears the weakest little "Bahhh," and he knows what that means, "Shepherd, I'm lost, I hear you so please find me!" The shepherd finally sees a small frame of sheep hair with briars clinging to it...and he reaches through the brush and briars as they catch the skin on his hands and arms loosing fresh blood onto his clothes. But reach he does until the sheep is loosed and tightly in his loving and welcoming arms!! And then it was a return to the fold with the shepherd rejoicing that his lost sheep was found. There was the return to the fold with the sheep being carried on the shoulders of the shepherd, and after a few well placed cell phone calls (joking!) of the shepherd sharing his delight with friends; Jesus said, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
     So just such as there is Grace in the Gardens, there is Grace on the rocky, craggy, and briar infested hillside!! All we need to do is say, "Bahhhh!"