Thursday, March 26, 2015

Let me be like Judas

Mark 15:10-11, 
Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled.” All of them desert him and fled.

Lord,
if it hadn't been for Judas
they wouldn't have known it was you.
If it hadn't been for the kiss,
they might have gotten the wrong man.
If Judas hadn't pointed you out,
who knows how it would have ended.

But Judas did point you out. 
To those who did not know you
he guided the way.
To those who could not recognize you
he gave a sign.
To those who had come to find you
he showed them who you were.

Lord,
let me be like Judas.
In a world of hurt and betrayal,
help me point to you Jesus.
In a world of swords and violence,
help my kiss of love on your cheek be proof of who you are.
In a world of division and despair,
help my witness reveal who you are.

Lord,
let me be like Judas.
The world can't recognize you.
But I know who you are.
Help me point you out in a crowd
so that they will know who to the Rabbi really is.

Lord, 
let me be like Judas.
Amen.


__________________
Many ideas in this prayer based on a sermon by Rev. Dr. Brian Blount.

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