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16 April Easter ServiceSo I'm going to church in the morning. Even showing up for breakfast. Why?
Why do I go when I actively disagree with so much of it - both immediately in my Lutheran church (women's ordination) and also within the larger Christian church (only path to God)?
Why do I enjoy the music and hymns so much so that when I'm sad I get out my old hymnal and sing to myself?
I also enjoy the sense of community and caring. Brownie points with my mom doesn't hurt either (yes, I know I'm 29 but it really never does hurt).
What do you do when there are such contradictory notions at hand? 14 April Good FridayThis is probably the busiest day that the early Christian church has had to deal with. Jesus prayed late into the night with the sleeping disciples and then was betrayed with a kiss. As morning rose he appeared before the Sanhedrin and that's where the story is picked up (using Matthew 26).
Those who arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest. They were trying to get rid of him on religious grounds, as the Jews were allowed to do what they wanted with heretics - the Roman government had given them this power. Many witnesses came forth with allegations but they were all found to be false. The high priest asked him directly to answer if he was the Christ, the Son of God. There is a small difference between the New International Version (NIV) and the King James Version (KJV) at this point but it makes a difference. Matthew 26:64a NIV reads "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. The same verse in the KJV reads: "Jeus saith unto him, Thou hast said." The difference is whether he confirmed his godhood at that moment as it is immediately followed with a charge of blasphemy by the high priest! There are moments I wish I'd taken Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
The day moved on to Peter disowning Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, just as Jesus had predicted.
Judas saw that Jesus had been condemned and tried to give back the 30 silver pieces he had been given as his part of the betrayal/ handover plot. He tried to give the money back to the chief priests and elders, saying "I have sinner for I have betrayed innocent blood." The priests' response? "What is that to us? That's your responsiblity." They were informed that the charges were false - that they were killing an innocent man and they didn't care. Judas threw the money into the temple and hanged himself. They used the money to buy the potter's field for a burial plot for foreigners.
Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate. He asked him if he was King of the Jews. Again, we have the discrepancy between the NIV and KJV as to whether he confirmed it. The high priests told the governor what had already occured but again Jesus didn't even respond. He offered to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd as was the custom. And the other guy, Barabbas, was a bad guy. The people talked and Pilate's wife waved him over and said "Don't have anything to do with that inncoent man, because I have suffered a great deal today in a dream on account of him." God was sending a message?! But by this time, the crowd has decided to have Barabbas released. They call for Jesus to be crucified. When asked the crime, the crowd worked itself into a frenzy yelling "Crucify him!" At this point, Pilate washes his hands of the situation (literally).
13 April Maundy ThursdayThey went up a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "simon," he said to Peter," are you askeep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak."
One more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here come my betrayer!"
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was as crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was in the temple courts and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted him and fled.
A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Mark 14:32-52 NIV 10 April Gospel of JudasThe Gospel of Judas is an ancient text that has recently surfaced. This happens alot but if it's biblical, it's something that we already have. There are exceptions to this rule but they aren't generally accepted as part of the biblical canon. So what is it about this text that has scholars excited?
The Gospel of Judas is only one of many texts discovered in the last 65 years, including the gospels of Thomas, Mary Magdalene and Philip, believed to be written by Gnostics. The Gnostics' beliefs were often viewed by bishops and early church leaders as unorthodox, and they were frequently denounced as heretics. The discoveries of Gnostic texts have shaken up Biblical scholarship by revealing the diversity of beliefs and practices among early followers of Jesus. This particular document has been radio-carbon dated to the 3rd or 4th C, but it is believed to be a copy of a document that dates to 130-170 CE - but the Gospel of John was written in 95-110 CE - this is only 50yrs later!! And we have proof that this text exists and that it was known to the people of the times as it was referenced by Irenaeus, an early Bishop of Lyons, in Adversus Haereses, written in about 180 C.E.
It was written by a strange little group of Gnostics, called Cainites.
The idea is that Judas did NOT betray Jesus, but that he only followed his wishes so that he could die and be resurrected. This idea has already been explored in a theoritical sense (without this particular text) by William Klassen in his book, "Judas: Friend or Betrayer of Jesus". (If you are interested I have an AUTOGRAPHED copy, I've been told it's out of print and a used copy runs $85 - I will lend it to careful readers!!) The biblical text as it currently stands can support that reading. But with a new text......
Basically - it is a "sayings" text; short conversations with sayings in between. There was no trace of it until it showed up in 1985 in Geneva. OMG - it's supposed to be translated into English - I soooo need a copy of that NOW!!! (Sad, but true!) It's supposed to be out this month!
Anyways, more once I get my hands on it! |
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