Morning Devotion for Epiphany
February 23, 2022
Feast Day of Polycarp
The Invitatory
The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.
Reading: John 15:45-54
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what he had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the council, and said, ‘What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy both our holy place and our nation.’ But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all! You do not understand that it is better for you to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed.’ He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God. So from that day on they planned to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked about openly among the Jews, but went from there to a town called Ephraim in the region near the wilderness; and he remained there with the disciples.
Meditation: Jo Ann B. Jones
Julius Irving (Dr. J) will long be remembered as an outstanding star in professional basketball. Once, following an exciting victory for the 76ers, in which Dr. J sank the winning shot, he was asked to express his feelings. He would take no particular credit for the victory. “I don’t brag when we win," he said, “and I don’t cry when we lose.” Jesus, too, maintained a constant composure in the heat of many encounters. He was well aware that His words, actions and miracles would generate both devoted love and intense hatred and jealousy. He brought Lazarus back to life and that brought a crowd of curious onlookers to Bethany to “investigate” this miracle. Some wanted to follow Jesus; others wanted to kill him.
Jesus’ raising of Lazarus has had a profound effect on the faith of many. And it was no less noticed by Caiaphas. And Caiaphas has experienced a notable insight. He recognizes “Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed children of God.” Caiaphas seems altogether unconscious of the prophecy and what its future and true implications might be. Of course, Jesus has a far more ambitious purpose: to gather all the children, indeed, all humankind and all of creation for redemption, but let’s give Caiaphas some credit. We have all witnessed the envy and jealousy that overtakes a leader who recognizes another leader who possesses far greater gifts and capabilities than he. Even when the leaders hold the same objectives, the need to salve one’s ego compromises what could be a joint quest for the greater good. Ironically, Caiaphas notes what can bring about this redemption, but he must satisfy his own need for bloodlust first and foremost. His words are the counsel of cynicism.
There is tremendous irony here. So tied to preserving his status and power, Caiaphas is bound to a path that compels him to deny that Jesus is the Son of God (even though he recognizes what the outcome will be) and to urge that he be put to death. He fails to see the sin to which he has committed the Jews and himself. God will not die. He will not permit himself to be put to shame. When we attempt to shame God, the result is that we embarrass ourselves, or much worse. There is irony in thinking that sin would serve God!
We know that the story doesn’t end in death. That is simply a turn in the path. Death does come first, followed by resurrection. Jesus’ journey, like his ministry, was not focused on glorifying himself – rather, it was outwardly focused on his obedience to God. His resurrection defeated the power of death and made clear God’s promise to redeem all humankind and all of creation. The ultimate irony in this passage is that God made the sin of Caiaphas serve God’s grace.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
