TEACHING

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021, 10:00 AM - ONLINE ONLY
The Deconstructed Faith of Peter and Judas, Luke 22:47-62
Peter and Judas went through faith deconstruction. Many people in the Bible and today go through it and only some end up with new faith on the other side of "the wall". Pentecost moves the church forward—the direct empowerment/experience of the Holy Spirit making Jesus real. We don’t often grow from these deconstruction moments because of forces at work to keep us deconstructing—both within the church and outside of it. Post-deconstruction faith looks different, it's love-based, and it has a higher level of trust and risk and learns to ask better questions. ​
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Narrative Lectionary for Week of April 4

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PRE-EASTER DECONSTRUCTION VERSE-BY-VERSE
Betrayal and Arrest
Luke 22:47-48 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Luke 22:49-50 When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we use our swords?” Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear.
Luke 22:51 But Jesus said, “Enough of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders who had come out to get him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs like you would against an outlaw? Day after day when I was with you in the temple courts, you did not arrest me. But this is your hour, and that of the power of darkness!”

Luke 22:54-62 PETER'S DENIAL
Luke 22:54-55 “entered the high priest’s house”
Luke 22:55 “middle of the courtyard...Peter sat...” 
Luke 22:56-57 “slave girl saw him...‘this one was also with him!’...he denied, ‘I do not know him, woman!’”
Luke 22:58 “after a short while, another...‘you are one of them also!’...‘Man I am not!’”
Luke 22:59-60 “after about an hour”...another was firmly insisting...‘the one was indeed with him, for he is also a Galilean!”...‘Man, I do not know what you are saying!’ Immediately, while he was speaking, the rooster crowed...”
Luke 22:61 “The Lord turned and looked at Peter...Peter then remembered the word of the lord.. 'before the cock crows tonight you will deny me three times.’”
Luke 22:62 “and he went out and wept bitterly”

ANOTHER LOOK

• What is at work in Peter’s deconstruction?  How can we respond to similar reactions to Jesus and the powers around us?
• A broken heart and spiritual dissatisfaction are also at play
• Our Deconstruction is often guarding something wrong in the church and the world—same coin different sides.
• “One thing that makes a bully all the more violent is the sight of weakness; he covers up his own inner fears by mocking others. It happens in many places...when people forget that every single other person they deal with is a beautiful, fragile reflection of the creator God. They are to be respected and cherished. It happens when we make ourselves feel good by making others feel bad.”
• God brings us through the wall

HOME CHURCH

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
(some questions are from NT Wright study guide)

1. Describe a time when you were part of a group (maybe the leader) that wasn't cooperating with the leader or following instructions well. What were the causes of the trouble?
2. Read the passage again (maybe one or two translations).
3. How does Luke highlight Jesus’ faith and truth as he tells what happened the night Jesus was arrested (54-17)?
4. Think of that fireside, chilly April night. Loyalty has taken Peter this far, but as the night wears on tiredness has sapped his resolve. It’s a familiar problem that strikes often for us in the middle of life or some great project. We begin with excitement but our intentions or energy drain away. In what ways do you relate to Peter’s attempts and struggles to be faithful?
5. Where have you felt the most disappointment in your journey with Jesus? Why?
6. People turn away from Jesus for many reasons. Judas and Peter turn away for various reasons (some we named, others we have not). For those who have turned away (deconstructed) what are some reasons? (Note: these don’t have to be good or bad, authentic or hypocritical—most are both.) What are the similarities between Peter and Judas, and differences?
7. Peter’s weakness, the guards’ bullying, the court’s perversion of justice—all this, and much more, put Jesus on the cross. It wasn’t just a theological transaction: it was real sin, real human folly and rebellion, the dehumanized humanity that lost its way and spat on God’s face. Have we not, in our own way, done so as well? Where do you see yourself in this story?
8. Other thoughts about “deconstruction”?