In one of the most known stories in the Bible, Judas goes to the chief priests and agrees to ‘betray’ Jesus for ‘thirty pieces of silver.’ The gospels according to Mark and John go even further to say that ‘Satan enters into him. #GoodWednesday
Judas in Greek means ‘praise’ yet is used in English synonymously with betrayal and treason. Some go further to describe “Judas” as people who use their proximity and privilege to benefit themselves rather than being a co-conspirator WITH Jesus.
But what if this wasn’t about betrayal against Jesus but treason against Rome? Jesus knew that Judas was “here to do” a prophetic work. Could the contemporary read cause us to miss the true conspiracy that is the eventual crucified Jesus?
Could our knee jerk response to this #HolyWeek story signal our inability and/or unwillingness to honor Christ through revolution? We all have our roles to play in the work of Christ.
Our commitment to Christ to that end MUST be considered treason and betrayal if it is authentic. We must see ourselves as agents of revolution and power - not bystanders. Sometimes that’ll mean betraying the very institution that you consider “home,” for the good of all people.
May our lives begin to bring us closer to God by rejecting the methods of a corrupt world and enduring whatever cost - even exile and death - that comes as a result.
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As someone who not only read every page of the bill and attended every hearing, as well as mentions very specific provisions that restricts access every time I talk about the legislation - this is deeply troubling. #GaPol
Republicans turned it into a 94-page bill literally overnight and never updated the websites for the public to follow the changes. Luckily, some of us were able to follow and testify. Many others were not.
There were also several other substitute bills floating around the Capitol with other dangerous provisions. To say this wasn’t “as bad” as some of the others because it has “good” stuff in it misses the point completely.
Though Jesus bar Abbas was also on trial, Jesus Christ was the one offered for state execution. After being handed over by Pilate, the soldiers would strip him of his clothes, mock, beat, spat and ultimately kill him publicly on Golgatha’s Hill.
(Note: The Gospel of Matthew’s [NSRV] distinction between Jesus bar Abbas (son of the Father) and Jesus Christ (The Anointed) is easy to miss. The title Jesus [Yeshua] was OFTEN given to distinguish revolutionaries, or ‘Saviours,’ during various periods of biblical history.)
For three hours, the world went into complete darkness as he hung on a cross at Calvary in complete agony. He again would “calls on Elijah,” questioning where in the hell God was. Then would take his last breath and die.
Jesus and disciples gathered for the Last Supper. He raised a loaf of bread and cup of wine, gave thanks and shared it. In doing so, he affirmed the gift of humanity and announced forgiveness of sin, even for women and children that were present but not recognized in scripture.
Jesus transitions to the Garden of Gethsemane where he tells Peter, James and John to “stay awake” as he goes up Mt. Sinai, to grieve, “even to death.” He wrestles with his calling, questions God’s presence and returns to find the disciples unable to keep watch in midnight hour.
Today we should observe this moment in solemn silence. Reflections over ‘hymns’ that get us through, ‘Gardens of Gethsemane’ that force us into vast vulnerability and lonely moments this work will leave us asking God, “Where in the hell are you?”
As the disciples would inquire about “end of times,” Jesus pressed them to continue to lead in truth. Despite rumors of war, political conspiracy, false profits, leaders drunk w/ power, natural disaster and inevitable persecution in Jesus’ name, they were to “endure to the end.”
The #OlivetDiscourse causes reflection over inevitability of death AND powerful yet fragile nature of human existence - simultaneously. To be called into divine service meant to be in total opposition to the world at large and to expect violent resistance to our very presence.
It’s okay to wrestle within the darkness of the prophetic. Attacks will come. Sell-outs and counterfeits will reveal themselves. Within true purpose, you will have to fight against ppl, who you thought you were fighting for/with, who only seek to kill and destroy you.
I continue to see people ask how the new Georgia law, hereafter referred to as SB202, is a “voter suppression bill.” Here’s how.. #GaPol
A THREAD 🧵🪡
Shortens the amount of time that an eligible voter can request an absentee ballot. It also pushes up the deadline for when a voter must return their absentee ballot as well.
It adds ADDITIONAL photo identification requirements for voting by mail. If you don’t have a Drivers License, you have to send a photocopy of your ID.
This adds additional barriers for rural voters, non-convicted inmates, and poor and disabled voters.
I recall a story in the Bible where Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane and asks Peter James and John to keep watch during the midnight hour while he wrestles in the spirit on the mountaintop.
The same is true for many of us on today.
As we fight against the despair of darkness and the pain of persecution, know that you have been called to such a time as this. Keep watch, stay alert.
Truth be told, there will be some folks who fall asleep as they wait for the next move. People who are not able to keep watch because they are “drunk with the wines of the world.”
Don’t be distracted, though. Keep praying. Keep fighting. Keep wrestling.