October 22, 2025 Midweek News
Hello church!
What is a early experience or story with money that has shaped your life? That was my question to us as we began our stewardship worship series “Our Money Story” last Sunday. We remembered our stories, and we took time to remember God at work in scripture – providing manna to hungry Israelites, inviting Judas to the table even though he betrayed Jesus for money.
The above image of Judas at the Last Supper was created by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity. Lisle says she is a pastorist (pastor +artist) and she provide this thoughtful reflection on our scripture from Sunday.
“Peter and John go to prepare the Passover meal in the home of a generous stranger. Meanwhile, Judas satiates the desires of the chief priests and legal experts by cutting a deal with them. Many of us quickly condemn Judas’ betrayal as cowardly and weak. But we are privileged to know the end of this story, which makes judgment more enticing than empathy.
Judas did not know exactly how this narrative would play out. He knew what Jesus had told them about their fate, painting a vision of doom and terror: the temple demolished, nations at war, food shortages, epidemics, harassment and torture from the authorities, betrayal by loved ones, hatred from strangers, possible execution by the state (Luke 21:5-19). With the chief priests on the hunt and Jesus’ disruptive death on the horizon, things were escalating quickly.
Judas had to act fast. In the face of so much uncertainty and fear for the future, how might you behave? Judas wants the nightmare to end. He wants security, assurance, quick relief. He wants to go back to how things used to be. And so, evil enters into Judas’ story like ink spilled across the page. But Jesus doesn’t let Judas’ story end here. Instead, he welcomes him to the table—a table where fear and doubt and difference have a place too. He offers him a meal where brokenness just makes more to pass around. He pours into a common cup that promises a new way forward.
Scarcity and fear and conflict will always threaten to dismember our story. But can we remember that God has a greater story to tell—a story that re-members us and makes us whole?”
Blessings,
Pastor Jared