Sunday 16 March 2008
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"Then Jesus said to them, 'You will all become deserters because of me this night...' Peter said to him, 'Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.' Jesus said to him, 'Truly I tell you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times'. Peter said to him, 'Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.' And so said all the disciples". (26:31-35)
Background
As we begin Holy Week, Matthew leads us through all the eventsof Jesus' passion - his arrest, trial, abuse and crucifixion. Thepassage begins with Judas' plan to betray Jesus and the farewellmeal with his disciples - the Last Supper - and ends with his bodylaid in the sealed and guarded tomb.
The Roman authorities allowed the Jews a certain amount ofreligious freedom, unlike some other conquered nations. However,any authority exercised by the Jewish leaders was always subject tothe higher authority of the Roman emperor, exercised through thelocal governor.
In spite of writing after the resurrection, Matthew manages toconvey how unexpected the events were for the disciples. They arefull of bravado at the Last Supper, but even Peter, who at leastfollows Jesus to the place of his trial, ends up denying he evenknows Jesus.
The story illustrates how easily acceptable human ways of doingthings can conspire to produce a terrible end. Did Judas mean tobetray Jesus to death? His repentance would seem to indicate hemight not have done.
Was Caiaphas (the Jewish high priest) wanting to do more thanprotect the religious structures for which he was responsible? Evena hint of rebellion was dangerous.
Was Pilate (the Roman governor) doing more than seeking a politicalcompromise?
Wasn't it only human for the disciples to fall asleep and be afraidof the authorities?
To Ponder
What commonly accepted principles or policiestoday fail to recognise individual situations? Should the threat ofterrorism take precedence over an individual's rights? (RememberJesus was seen as a rebel...)
Most of us in Britain have never faced thepossibility of really suffering for our faith. How firm would yoube able to stand if the pressure was on? What would you have beenable to do in Peter's position?