In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses almost exactly the same symbolic action to indicate both his friends (the institution of communion) and his betrayer (the giving of dunked bread to Judas). Is this coincidence or are we being told that...
1) Jesus gives his body as freely to his enemies as his friends?
2) The gap between friendship and treachery is (forgive the pun) wafer thin?
Note also that Judas has his feet washed along with the others ....
ReplyDeleteVery true, SR.
ReplyDeleteMind you I refused to wash anybody's feet tonight. But then, in the words of the great Lyle Lovett, "That's the difference between God and me."
I doubt the Gospel stories contain very many coincidences, so I say a definite "yes" to no. 1 and "I don't know" to no. 2.
ReplyDeleteNice summary. I often ask who was checking credentials at the feeding of the 5000. At God's table, everyone gets fed. No exceptions.
ReplyDeleteBecause of (1), (2) is irrelevant.
ReplyDeleteUm. . .yes?
ReplyDeleteYes, to the first.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, sadly, to the second.
It is irrelevant, unless you are on the receiving end of treachery. Even Jesus muttered something about betraying with a kiss.
ReplyDeleteJesus stretched out his arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that we all might fit within his saving embrase, which is why his arms are nailed there - that is he is open to everyone - he rejects no one - even those who would betray him he those whom we may not want to share him or heaven with, thich about it.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't judge us, we do and each other, yet Jesus is the only one who can be judge.
we exclude because we cannot get our heads around what Jesus means by inclusion .... surely he doesn't mean to include them!