Former US senator John Edwards was once the poster boy
for why people hate politicians. The 2004 Democratic vice presidential
candidate was indicted on six felony charges of violating federal campaign contribution
laws during his own failed 2008 presidential bid. The charges centered on
payments to cover up an extramarital affair while his wife was dying of cancer.
Disclosure forms also showed Edwards paid $1,250.00 for two haircuts by a
celebrity Beverly Hills stylist.
The central issue of his campaign was eliminating
poverty.
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| Former US senator
John Edwards was criticized as one of the most hypocritical politicians of the 2000s. |
Opponents and the media alike criticized, vilified, and
satirized Edwards’ hypocrisy for months. Typical self-centered, entitled,
egotistical, out-of-touch politician. The absolute antithesis of any example
Jesus set during his ministry, right?
Maybe, But maybe not.
We heard the Gospel story of Jesus’ extravagance on Palm Sunday. But most of us overlooked it. We focused instead on the more dramatic
aspects of the Passion story. It’s the story of the
woman who anointed Jesus feet with expensive ointment. Really expensive. Nearly
a year’s wages, according to Judas Iscariot. Maybe $50,000? As much as $100,000
or more? For ointment. To wash feet. Almost makes a $1,250.00 haircut for a
politician look like a bargain.
Politics was the actual context for Jesus’ ministry.
Then, as now, religion and politics in Israel are inseparable. Prophets and
preachers were, by default, politicians, too. Jesus, in that role, had traveled
all around Judea for three years as a populist advocate for the poor,
confronting the Jewish religious establishment and, indirectly, challenging
Roman rule. So, on this Passover eve, Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims
buzzing about what Jesus might say and do.
That’s when Jesus commits the campaign gaffe that seems
to reveal he’s as hypocritical as a megachurch televangelist who solicits
contributions for a $65 million private jet. He let a woman touch him. Massage
his feet with oil worth a year’s salary. Is this what a defender of the poor
does? What kind of scandal would erupt if a Kennedy or a Clinton got a $50,000
massage?
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We see the anointing of Jesus’
feet is a deeply moving
act of devotion. At the time, however, it was considered a scandalous act and a waste of money. |
Yes, the ointment was a “campaign contribution” from a private
supporter before financial disclosure laws. But many of the people who followed
Jesus must have silently thought the same thing Judas said openly (and with obvious self-interest of dipping into the treasury). Why waste it
on your feet – your feet! – when we could sell it and feed hundreds, if not
thousands? If a $1,250.00 haircut is offensive and outrageous, what was this?
Jesus had always been enigmatic. A rebel. Mysterious. A
bit odd. Some supporters who stayed with him hoped for a payoff. Maybe a
leadership position in his new kingdom. But now they had to wonder if he was
the hypocritical charlatan that the chief priest and scribes claimed.
That might have been the moment Judas threw in the towel.
Judas wanted to win. He longed to see Israel freed from the tyranny of Rome and
its glory restored in Jerusalem. He had thought Jesus was the way to that
freedom. But when Jesus rebuked him saying, “The poor you will always have with
you,” and predicted his own death, he knew it was time to change sides.
Politically, it was the smart move. Once this got out, it would undermine Jesus
as the moral voice of the nation. Jesus was a loser.
This feet thing was worse than the last big gaffe, when
Jesus claimed the only way to eternal life was to “eat my flesh and drink my blood.” The catcalls were brutal that day.
“Jesus, can I gnaw on a bicep?”
“Holy man, bite my
glutes.”
“Hey Jesus, can I
have a piece of your ear?” (Obviously an ancestor of Mike Tyson.)
They lost a lot of followers that day. It was so bad,
Jesus asked the Twelve, his inner circle, “Do you also want to leave?”
It was tempting. They had given up everything – wives, children,
homes, professions – to follow Jesus for the sake of their holy nation. Now,
they averted his eyes. They were so confused. Finally, Peter said, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of
eternal life.”
In for a penny, in for a pound.
Being a follower of Jesus has never been easy. Too many
contradictions. Too many disappointments. Broken laws. Broken promises. Sinful
actions. Then and now. How did his original followers justify the attack on
the Temple establishment – a slap in the face to their entire leadership of
Israel? How do we get past the despicable clergy sex scandals? Or stories of corruption
in the Vatican bureaucracy?
It was hard then, on the eve of the Last Supper. A lot of
people turned and walked away. But some saw through the enigma of Jesus – past
the riddles, puzzles, parables, and downright outrageous statements – and were
inspired enough to say “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
It’s harder now, in today’s secular world. Even more
people have turned and walked away. But many others acknowledge that the Church
– run by humans with sinful human natures – is only the vehicle that can take
us to Jesus. Vehicles get flat tires, broken windshields, cloudy headlights.
Mechanics lose their touch, and sometimes their eyesight. But the destination
is always there, waiting for us with open arms, unconditional love, and eternal
life.
It’s Easter. Celebrate with your family and friends. Wear
your Sunday best. And get a haircut. But don’t pay $1,250.00. John Edwards doesn’t
even do that anymore. He pays just $12.95 at Supercuts. One more reminder that
Easter is the season of redemption and renewal.
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