John 19
Sometimes I am amazed how different aspects of my life
will dovetail with each other.
I started this "Read the New Testament in a Year" plan
about three or four years ago
(okay, I'm slow...)
And now it just seems more than coincidental
that the play "Jesus Christ Superstar"
which started in our town when I was writing about John 18
closed this week as I am writing about John 19
I saw it several times,
It was quite a wonderful experience
seeing a large part of the town
and the visiting professionals
come together to make this work.
My wife led the children's theater camp
which culminated in a collaboration with JCS.
so, all three of my children performed in it
as well as many other people of the town
Since it had an affect on me as a teenager
(which I wrote about last week)
I couldn't help but wonder if the story was affecting anyone.
Many people simply turned their back on it
and refused to see it based on some principle
that I still don't really understand
(and I'm not certain they do either).
Some of the statements I've heard
could only have come from somewhere else,
somewhere awfully misguided.
Like, for example, just this week I heard someone say
they would never see a play that was a comedy about Jesus.
or one that "made fun" of Jesus.
a comedy? fun?
anyway... for those that DID see it,
I kept hoping I would overhear people talking about it,
but so many of us seem to be in a hurry all the time.
"Stuff to do", ya know?
One of the religious leaders of our town wrote an article
about it in the newspaper that I enjoyed reading,
and I was grateful to get a few moments with a few people.
I really appreciated those times.
During an intermission at the last performance,
a group of girls from last year's high-school theater camp
told me this was their first time seeing it.
They seemed flushed with excitement!
It was thrilling for me to share that moment with them
I was wishing I could invite more and MORE people to see it.
I saw a recording of the New York version this week, too
(not a fanatic, just a fan)
and each new view deepens my own interpretation
This John 19 chapter isn't really about Judas,
but since it shares the same plot with JCS, I gotta say
One thing that struck me this week was this:
If Judas had really believed Jesus was God
or the Son of God,
he wouldn't have taken action.
Only a crazy man would do such a thing.
If you truly believed that a spiritual authority
was about to challenge a social or political authority,
wouldn't you sit back and watch it unfold?
(Maybe distance yourself a little, like Peter?)
The way I see it, if Judas was in his right mind,
he must have believed Jesus was a man who had gone too far.
And if he was a man,
the story of their relationship would end HERE:
Joh 19:30
After Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished."
Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
and the end of the story (for Judas)
would be the very last verse of this chapter
Joh 19:42
Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day,
and because the tomb was nearby,
they put Jesus there.
That's the end
(of the play, anyway)
The play
ends
when the human relationship between Judas and Jesus
ends.
but the end-point of the play
is not the point of the play.
To focus on that, is to miss a rich opportunity
to consider the thoughts and feelings of men
who had been following Jesus for years,
in relative peace
with adoring crowds
witnessing miracles
changing lives.
Now they are approaching the Big City
being sucked into the turmoil
with agitated religious leaders
and agitated policemen.
What if your foundation wasn't quite as firm as others?
can you imagine the uncertainty?
Would you fear the outcome?
pain.
death.
again I have the urge to "defend" the performance
for what it was
and how it shook me up.
Jesus can come into people's lives from many directions
and I'm living proof that this play is one of them.
To deny that possibility,
To turn your back on that,
seems absurd to me.
Now I've heard there's more to the story?
Something happens after the crucifixion scene?
Let's find out about that...
.
will dovetail with each other.
I started this "Read the New Testament in a Year" plan
about three or four years ago
(okay, I'm slow...)
And now it just seems more than coincidental
that the play "Jesus Christ Superstar"
which started in our town when I was writing about John 18
closed this week as I am writing about John 19
I saw it several times,
It was quite a wonderful experience
seeing a large part of the town
and the visiting professionals
come together to make this work.
My wife led the children's theater camp
which culminated in a collaboration with JCS.
so, all three of my children performed in it
as well as many other people of the town
Since it had an affect on me as a teenager
(which I wrote about last week)
I couldn't help but wonder if the story was affecting anyone.
Many people simply turned their back on it
and refused to see it based on some principle
that I still don't really understand
(and I'm not certain they do either).
Some of the statements I've heard
could only have come from somewhere else,
somewhere awfully misguided.
Like, for example, just this week I heard someone say
they would never see a play that was a comedy about Jesus.
or one that "made fun" of Jesus.
a comedy? fun?
anyway... for those that DID see it,
I kept hoping I would overhear people talking about it,
but so many of us seem to be in a hurry all the time.
"Stuff to do", ya know?
One of the religious leaders of our town wrote an article
about it in the newspaper that I enjoyed reading,
and I was grateful to get a few moments with a few people.
I really appreciated those times.
During an intermission at the last performance,
a group of girls from last year's high-school theater camp
told me this was their first time seeing it.
They seemed flushed with excitement!
It was thrilling for me to share that moment with them
I was wishing I could invite more and MORE people to see it.
I saw a recording of the New York version this week, too
(not a fanatic, just a fan)
and each new view deepens my own interpretation
This John 19 chapter isn't really about Judas,
but since it shares the same plot with JCS, I gotta say
One thing that struck me this week was this:
If Judas had really believed Jesus was God
or the Son of God,
he wouldn't have taken action.
Only a crazy man would do such a thing.
If you truly believed that a spiritual authority
was about to challenge a social or political authority,
wouldn't you sit back and watch it unfold?
(Maybe distance yourself a little, like Peter?)
The way I see it, if Judas was in his right mind,
he must have believed Jesus was a man who had gone too far.
And if he was a man,
the story of their relationship would end HERE:
Joh 19:30
After Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished."
Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
and the end of the story (for Judas)
would be the very last verse of this chapter
Joh 19:42
Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day,
and because the tomb was nearby,
they put Jesus there.
That's the end
(of the play, anyway)
The play
ends
when the human relationship between Judas and Jesus
ends.
but the end-point of the play
is not the point of the play.
To focus on that, is to miss a rich opportunity
to consider the thoughts and feelings of men
who had been following Jesus for years,
in relative peace
with adoring crowds
witnessing miracles
changing lives.
Now they are approaching the Big City
being sucked into the turmoil
with agitated religious leaders
and agitated policemen.
What if your foundation wasn't quite as firm as others?
can you imagine the uncertainty?
Would you fear the outcome?
pain.
death.
again I have the urge to "defend" the performance
for what it was
and how it shook me up.
Jesus can come into people's lives from many directions
and I'm living proof that this play is one of them.
To deny that possibility,
To turn your back on that,
seems absurd to me.
Now I've heard there's more to the story?
Something happens after the crucifixion scene?
Let's find out about that...
.