Thursday, March 29, 2018

Responding to Betrayal

“When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.  And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’ Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’ Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:20-30 NIV)

Imagine the scene: Jesus gathered at night around a wooden table with men He had specifically chosen to follow Him and with whom He had spent the last three years. He knew something all but one didn’t know—they would soon all desert Him after He was betrayed and handed over to the Jewish authorities.

Have you ever been betrayed and deserted by a friend or family member? If so, then you know how amazing this scene truly is. It wasn’t that Jesus was in denial that allowed Him to dine with these people. He calls out Judas’ intentions and soon after predicts the abandonment by all of the men gathered at the table (Matthew 26:31). He knew exactly what they all were about to do.

Yet, there He was, celebrating with them one of the most sacred meals in Judaism—the Passover meal. We often note Jesus’ love for us as exemplified by His death on the cross, but this is an earlier glimpse of it—sharing the Passover with those who would soon abandon Him to the will of His enemies.

In this scene, we see Jesus live out what He had earlier commanded: “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

The temptation we face when we are betrayed or abandoned by those whom we thought loved us and were our friends is to do in kind to them. Yet, Jesus shows us a different way, a harder, but more godly way. 

Today, is there someone in your life who has betrayed or abandoned you? To date, how have you responded? Does it look anything like how Jesus responded to the Twelve? As we celebrate this week the events surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection, consider how the Lord might want you to treat this person. He demonstrated love toward His disciples. Are you willing to do the same?

© Jim Musser 2018

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