Playing a Part. . .Maybe
Sunday morning, we had an acting academy at our church presenting their program, “But We See Jesus.” This academy of actors is such a blessing to the community. They invite children from Christian schools all around the country to take part in putting on Christ-themed productions. Some of these productions take place in their theater, but to promote the academy, they also tour churches throughout the summer months and put on plays. I should add that these are not short, thrown-together-at-the-last-moment programs, but they are in-depth with astounding acting, impressive special effects and scenery, original musical scores and much more. Each program is a pure delight.
After the program, as we were helping the group tear down and pack up, Jason and I were talking to the young man who portrayed Judas Iscariot in the play. The first thing I blurted out was that he gave me the creeps during the program. I don’t know if that was a good thing to say, but he took it as a compliment. (He was actually a very nice young man.) Jason asked the question I too was wondering. “Did you audition specifically for the role of Judas, or is it the part you ended up with?” Fair question. I mean, who would WANT to play the part of Judas the betrayer, right? The young man’s answer stunned me. He said, “I auditioned for the part because I felt I could understand him better than any of the other characters.”
My first reaction was that this poor child needed professional help, but as I thought about it all afternoon, I realized he was being honest—much more honest than I was being. Judas was guilty of playing a part. He acted contrary to his inner character. But more than that, I think Judas’ downfall was brought about because Jesus didn’t live up to the disciple’s expectations. Judas had ideas of how this whole thing would play out, and those ideals involved fame, fortune, and power. After all, if Jesus would rule and reign on earth as Judas suspected, wouldn’t He grant favor to His faithful twelve disciples? Surely, they would rule and reign with him. This is what Judas expected. These were his aspirations, and when they fell apart before his eyes, he lost it and acted out of disappointment and frustration.
Um, guilty! I get it. Judas was wrong, and what he did was horrible, but when I break it down to cause and effect, I have to admit that I understand his character as well. I’m guilty of having expectations and falling to pieces when those expectations aren't met. I have ideas of how life should be and question everything when God’s way is different. Maybe it’s horrible to say I understand where Judas was coming from, but terrible or not, it’s the truth.
The fact is, I could just as easily identify with many—if not all—of the other disciples. Like Peter, I tend to let my mouth run away with me, to be careless with my words and too arrogant for my own good. Like Thomas, I’ve had occasions of saying, “Until God proves it to me, I refuse to believe.” Like James and John, I’ve found myself in comparison and competition with a fellow servant wondering which of us was more important and worthy to God. Do you see what I mean? It’s so easy to criticize each of these men for their flaws, but when we explore their characters, we realize we’re more like them than we care to admit.
My point today is two-fold. First off, let’s stop playing a part and be honest with ourselves and others. It’s time to stop pretending and to own up to our faults and failures. Not only will it improve our relationship with Christ and others, but recognizing our issues before they get out of control will probably prevent us from taking drastic action as Judas did.
Second, we need to be careful about judging others and slinging mud at those we feel are not living as spiritually as we are. The truth is we don’t understand the situation because we cannot see the whole picture. We also don’t know that person’s heart, and we are not the judge. Not to mention, if we’ll take the time to examine our own lives, we will realize we’re guilty of the same things of which we’re accusing them.
If we want to “work on” someone and help that person grow spiritually, it’s best if we begin with ourselves. Otherwise, it’s a bit like the blind leading the blind, isn’t it? I challenge you to examine your heart today, see what’s lurking there, and plead with Jesus to take away what’s ugly and replace it with something beautiful.
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”