Jesus, Judas, and John Edwards’ $1,250 Haircut

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.

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?

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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