Apr 27, 2007 4 min read

Scripture reading: Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50, and 27:1-5. Text: “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that THIS MAN, RATHER THAN THE OTHER, went home justified before God.'” Luke 18:9-14/a. It is not so easy to understand what goes on in this troubled world. While most of the people want to be nice, we learn about problems, hatred and even crimes. Through the tragic story of Judas as well as Jesus’ parable about the Pharisee and tax collector we wish to learn more about some of the roots where things start to go wrong.

JUDAS’ IMMORAL PLAN, SHAMEFUL BETRAYAL, AND HIS TRAGIC END.

We know how Judas planned to betray Jesus, identified him with a kiss and at the end, seeing the consequences of his actions, had hanged himself. Please see our scripture reading. This tragedy can be the source of the four basic steps of our sinful attitude.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR or lawlessness. The underworld operates on this level. Here there is no respect for law, decency or even for human life. Greed, illegal profit, retaliation and vengeance are the rules, and nothing is sacred.

UNDISCLOSED PURPOSE, that is hidden agenda. Don’t we usually hear this statement: “Where is the catch?” Sweet words, exaggerated praise, wonderful offer can help to reach the hidden goal, just let him/her sign the document; after it the person is legally bound by the signed deal and becomes an easy prey.

UNETHICAL PROCEDURE. Judas had used the sign of love, the kiss, to identify Jesus to be captured. If you saw the movies “The Godfather” and its sequels, then you can remember that everything goes and is permitted. Unethical procedure can take place from shortchanging an innocent person to physical annihilation of the enemy.

UNFORESEEN AND UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES. Like in the case of Judas, when he realized the outcome of his behavior, he had committed suicide. How many illegal deals have precipitated ruined family lives, guilty verdicts or sad funeral services?

TAKING THE RISK TO OVERSIMPLIFY OUR CLASSIFICATION, WE CAN CHARACTERIZE THE PEOPLE BY TWO TIMES TWO, THAT IS FOUR CATEGORIES. See our text how Jesus described two persons.

There are SILLY and SMART people, as well as, DISHONEST and DECENT ones. We have no problem with those who are decent regardless how gifted or simple-minded they are. Again the silly and dishonest one can be detected easily and dealt with accordingly. The real problem comes from those who are SMART and DISHONEST. They know how to utilize the first three points mentioned in the previous paragraph. How can we protect ourselves against the schemes of intelligent, crooked wheeler-dealers? A hidden agenda pursued with unethical procedure cannot be proven, thus cannot be prosecuted either.

There are at least two exceptions from this general rule: war, revolution and terrorism, where life is cheap, soldiers are ordered and terrorists are brainwashed. The other one is when somebody is mentally challenged and is unaware of his/her actions and their consequences. Remember last week’s message that dealt with guilt-awareness? On April 16 a deranged student killed 33 persons at Virginia Tech. Was it avoidable? What can the scientists and professionals do to prevent such a case to happen again?

Let the prophets have the last word: “Rend your heart and not your garments.

Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” Joel 2:13. And: “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” Ezekiel 18:23.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.