Strange Bedfellows

Wednesday, July 1, 2009 -- Week of Proper 8, Year One

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 972)
Psalms 119:145-176 (morning) 128, 129, 130 (evening)
1 Samuel 12:1-6, 16-25
Acts 8:14-25
Luke 23:1-12

Politics makes strange bedfellows.

As we read yesterday the chief priests and religious authorities blindfolded and tortured Jesus in order to coerce a confession from him. Their charge was blasphemy. If they could convict Jesus of blasphemy, they would have religious grounds to execute him.

But theirs is an occupied land. The religious leaders have no authority to carry out a death sentence, so they must take Jesus to the Romans and accuse him before the secular powers. In that venue, the charges against Jesus change. They say that Jesus challenged the payment of taxes to the Romans. That's a serious charge. And they tweak the accusation of blasphemy. To the Romans they say Jesus has claimed that he is a king, the Messiah. Romans were aware of Jewish Messianic hopes. If there were to be an armed Jewish rebellion, it would be led by someone claiming the renewed crown of David. "He stirs up the people," the priests say. This is the language of insurrection and rebellion.

But Pilate the governor is not convinced. He learns that Jesus is a Galilean. Jesus is a citizen of Pilate's enemy, Herod Antipas. Herod had wanted to inherit his father's appointment as the king of the Jews, but the Romans made him tetrarch of Galilee and Perea. Since Herod was in Jerusalem for the Passover, Pilate sends the problem to him. Surprisingly, Herod is delighted. He had been curious about the rumors of a miracle worker in his province.

So Herod questions Jesus and listens to the charges from the chief priests and scribes. Again they accuse Jesus of sedition and rebellion -- "He says he is a king." That might have struck a nerve with Herod. Herod wanted to be king, but was denied. Herod toys with Jesus. But Jesus won't play; he won't perform any miracles. So Herod lets his soldiers work him over a bit. As a sign of the accusation against Jesus, they mock him, treat him with contempt, probably with violent contempt, then they dress him up like a royal clown and send him back.

The result of the day's entertainment is that Herod and Pilate, former enemies, become friends. Herod, the would-be king, gets to torment and mock another failed claimant. Thanks for the fun, Pilate.

Chief priests, Pilate and Herod. Each has a different and competing agenda. But they find themselves united in their contempt for Jesus. I am reminded of the constellation of enemies that gathered around Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Entrenched white politicians; true-believer segregationists including preachers; J. Edgar Hoover and other anti-communists; defenders of the Vietnam War; the KKK; people who just don't like change; law-and-order folks who reject the notion that non-violent resistance to unjust law was legitimate. Prophets like Jesus and MLK provoke fears from diverse angles. They make strange friends and bedfellows.


Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas