29 March 2012
For Immediate Release
Facebook comes to St Matthew’s Easter Billboard
St Matthew-in-the-City’s Easter billboard appears to be a traditional image of the crucifixion but upon closer
inspection it is a shared image on Facebook with only one like and it is by Judas Iscariot.
In commenting on the billboard, Vicar Glynn Cardy observed contrary to traditional understanding, “Jesus did not die for
our sins. He died because he peeved a bunch of powerful people off. He lived and preached a message of radical inclusion
that threatened the status quo. The authorities killed him for it.
“When there is a tragic death there is often a strong desire to apportion blame - the death of Jesus being a case in
point. His early followers blamed each other and themselves.
“The early Church blamed 'the Jews', overlooking the fact that it was a Roman execution.
“Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, has in particular been blamed and vilified for centuries.
“The ‘dying for sins’ business was a spin the Church applied at a later date. It was part of a larger spin about him
having to die, being God’s plan and all, in order to save us from our sins. We were to blame.
“This billboard uses humour to laugh at and critique our ongoing desire to apportion blame.
“The message of Easter is that blame, guilt, and regret will not lead to a happy, contented life. Blaming ourselves or
others is not the way forward.
“Rather the way forward is by caring for one another, welcoming those labeled nuisances and nobodies [whether Jesus or
Judas], and building an inclusive community in which everyone is valued.”
ENDS