First Thursday of Advent
Scripture Reading for Today:
Life After Judas
by Jordan Majeau
I was spending too much time on Twitter the other day. I should have known better.
Sure enough, in my scrolling I came across a clip of a Christian at a political rally in a southern state in the United States praying, "Lord I pray, in the name of Jesus, that you would allow conservatives to win ... I pray that Christians turn out all over *the State* and that we vote for the person most like you, Lord. And I believe that is *name* of the politician." The prayer concluded with applause. This prayer is not the kind of prayer I'd applaud. It's the kind of prayer that hands the name of Jesus over to the politics of power.
I felt mixed emotions; a cocktail of anger, sadness, and embarrassment muddled with the bitter fruit of betrayal. Once again, I was disappointed by a member of the greater Christian community—my brother in Christ. I wonder if this is how that small community of Christ's followers felt after learning about Judas Iscariot and how he betrayed Jesus. One of their own who had his feet washed by Jesus had betrayed the cause for thirty pieces of silver. This week, we read their story in Acts 1:12-17, 21-26.
21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Being disappointed by the community that we love has a way of pulling the rug from underneath us. Leaving us with questions like, "why am I even here? Do I want to associate myself with these people?" or, "Will I ever find a place where I can feel spiritually at home?" A season of disappointment can be dark and lonely.
I've been there.
Maybe you've been there.
I'm encouraged by the followers of Christ in this passage. They continue to journey in the community even after the devastating betrayal of Judas. I don't want to be overly prescriptive here, but if we've experienced broken relationships that, despite our best efforts, can't be healed, we can continue hoping and believing that there are people out there who will walk beside us. Disappointment with people is a part of the journey, but it doesn't need to be the end of it.
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