Tuesday of Holy
Week
(Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33.36-38)
In today’s passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus
predicts Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s denial.
In the telling, Jesus is dismissive of both disciples. He orders Judas to carry out quickly the evil
that has entered his heart. And he cuts
short Peter’s bravado about laying down his life for him. At later points in the Gospel of Luke, not
John, Jesus shows mercy to each.
When Judas approaches Jesus in the garden, Luke portrays
him attempting to kiss the Lord. Jesus
interrupts this show of hypocrisy by calling his name. He is not defending himself but allowing
Judas a last opportunity to repent of his treachery. Shakespeare will have Caesar make the same
kind of appeal to Brutus. Tragically,
Judas fails to show remorse. Peter,
however, is able to change his course of action in a parallel situation. Luke situates Jesus in vicinity of Peter when
the latter denies him. Most of us would
probably turn our heads away in disgust if we were in Jesus’ position. But Jesus mercifully turns to look at
Peter. This gesture, reminding Peter of
Jesus’ prediction, causes him to weep in regret.
There are many differences in the four narratives of Jesus’
passion. They should not make us fret
about which is accurate. Rather they
should move us to contemplate all that Jesus means. He is the merciful face of God whom especially
Luke tells of. He is also the divine
king that John relates. And he is much
more besides. We want to spend time
meditating on him this week, recommitting ourselves to him, and beseeching his
grace.
