We remember the crucifixion and death of Jesus
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The Betrayal
Good Friday 2021 at Noon
John 19
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Warrenton, VA. The Reverend Terri Luper Church.
Have you ever been betrayed? Of course, you have.
There are the little annoying ones. You’ve just politely let someone into your lane, but they swing out and try something else. And not five minutes later, they rush up the shoulder and cut you off to get ahead.
Or at the office? By a colleague?
How about by that friend who “unfriended” you on Facebook?
By your body?
By someone you love and who loves you?
Yes, you’ve been betrayed. We all have. It’s part of the human condition.
Today’s story follows last night’s story. It starts “After Jesus had spoken these words,” and you might be tempted to think it was a single teaching or a story, but no. It’s four long chapters of teachings and prayers all while the Jesus is gathered with his closest friends for that Passover meal in the upper room. He washes their feet to show them what love looks like; Judas is signaled as the one who dipped the bread into the cup and then leaves to betray him; Jesus gives the new commandment to love one another and show the world how to love; and they eat and talk and listen.
The next three chapters include some of the most beloved in all of the Bible, like “In my Father’s house are many mansions” and “I am the vine, you are the branches,” and LOTS of prayers—for the world, for his followers, and for his closest disciples. “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage: I have conquered the world!” he says. The last thing Jesus says before our passage today is this: “I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them and I in them.” (John 17:26)
Jesus came for love. Jesus prepared them for what was coming, how he was leaving them to die and then ascend into heaven. He also prepared them by saying he would be betrayed and denied and abandoned. They would need his peace. We need his peace. We need his love. We have his love. It’s all part of our human condition.
God became human to experience human pain, loss, betrayal, and death.
Jesus was betrayed to remind you what God has been saying all along: You Are Loved. Forever. Amen.
Liturgical material © 2017 Augsburg Fortress, used by permission of Augsburg Fortress/Sundays and Seasons #SAS009239. Copyright Acknowledgments for print & broadcast: CCLI - Copyright License #2800659 and Streaming License #20585472 (including SongSelect Advanced); and One License #710443-A.
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