Infusion or Infection?

I sometimes wonder if it's more stressful for police professionals to respond to 911 calls for service or to work with partners, supervisors or managers who create toxic work environments inside police buildings. A mentor once commented on chronic negativity saying that it would not matter if he walked down the hallway handing out $20 bills, someone would complain that it was not two $10’s. One or two individuals engaging in complaining, grumbling, gossip or insubordination can drag a team down and destroy morale. Work becomes…work. Are you part of the problem at work? Ask yourself this question: “Do people look forward to you going on vacation?” 

Consider Judas’ influence as a leader during the life of Jesus. “Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair…But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’ He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” John12:3-6

Judas’ role in the life of the early church and the crucifixion was many things. He was one of Jesus’ most trusted followers. He received the power to cast out demons, to cure diseases, to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1) He was also responsible to manage the finances of the ministry. There was a dark side to Judas. He was a thief and he would argue with his co-workers about which of them was the greatest. (Luke 9:46) Some historians and scholars suggest that Judas believed Jesus would lead a revolution and become the earthly King of Israel. There would be a new power in the region and Judas would be part of the inner circle. When he realized that this would not going to be the case. He became insubordinate and a traitor. His disciple buddies probably looked forward to his vacations.

Matthew 26: 14-16, “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”

The power of one to bring calamity is easy enough to accomplish. It does require malice and aforethought. C.S. Lewis, in The Great Divorce, describes the process of giving yourself over to what I will call organizational infection, “It begins with a grumbling mood and yourself distinct from it, perhaps criticizing it and yourself in a dark hour may will that mood; embrace it. You can repent and come out of it again but there may come a day when you can do that no longer.”

The infection spread through all of the disciples. When the Temple Guards showed up to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, it was Judas that brought the infection, “Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders... Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him…Then everyone deserted him and fled.” (Mark 14)

The infection was cured when Jesus died on the cross; paying the debt for the sin of all mankind. The infection of sin was replaced by the Holy Spirit who is now infused in our hearts, our minds and our strength. (Luke 10:27) Does the infection of sin or the infusion of the Holy Spirit guide your life? It is easy to be consumed at work by complaining, grumbling, gossip or insubordination. When the temptation to criticize co-workers, supervisors and managers begins, stand firm in your faith and know that the Spirit of God is infused within you. You are a light to the world and I don’t mean the red and blue ones flashing on the top of police cars!