Mark 14:17-21
“When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.” They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with 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.””
Mark 14:17-21 NIV
One of the biggest problems in the Christian faith is the reduction of the word faith to mean little more than intellectual assent to a specified set of doctrinal statements.
We turn the faith into a head game. Then we argue with one another over the correctness of our doctrines. We forget that faith primarily means loyalty, fidelity, and trust.
The word betrayed brings us back down to earth. Down to the reality of vulnerable human relationships and how they can be abused, destroyed, when trust is broken. It reminds us that we have been both victim and victimizer. There is a little Judas in all of us.
Yet Jesus still made a place at the table for us. Judas ate too. But he didn’t yet know the whole story as we do. At least, as much of the story as has yet been told.
Because you and I are still writing the story. Let our next chapter be rooted in loyalty, fidelity, and trust.
This is an amazing picture of God that we don’t usually see. Jesus chose to love the one who betrayed Him, and while it may have been better if Judas Iscariot had never been born, God did bring him into this world, and Jesus chose to love and include Him.
This emphasizes the truth that God and Jesus love sinners, including you and me, and even when we mess up, God still loves us.
Before time began, everything was put in place to point to that specific weekend. If none of the disciples chose to betray Jesus, I wonder how Jesus arrest would have happened.
Maybe a Pharisee spy would catch sight of Jesus and His followers leaving the city and go tell the leading priests.
Or maybe someone else in the garden would see them and go and turn Jesus’ location in for a reward.
But knowing that Jesus betrayal was predicted and knowing that it would happen on that specific night, even though Jesus shares a harsh statement, He still loved Judas Iscariot.
Right up to the end, He gave Judas every opportunity to change his heart and mind. Jesus knew it was Judas, and instead of kicking Judas out of the disciples circle, He allowed him to stay and He chose to continue loving His betrayer.
Betrayal cuts deep precisely because it is both so unexpected and because it attacks you in a very vulnerable place. It leaves you feeling violated, you feel like a fool for being so trusting.
That is why this story, when you slow down enough to let the words hit you, turns your stomach. It hurts. You just want to get past it. You just want it to be over. You want to forget it.
And yet this moment has been enshrined in history in the very words through which Jesus still assures us of His continuing presence in our lives.
What you believe about Jesus is crucial. What you believe about Him will determine how you respond to Him.
If you see Him as a nice person who did something wonderful for you, then you will be thankful.
However, if you see Him as Lord, God, Master, and Savior who did something wonderful for you, then you will be thankful and surrender to His Lordship and authority.
As a follower of Jesus, you are not following someone who is simply loving, you are following someone who is loving and Lord. That’s a big difference!!!
Father thank You for this day and for the strength to walk in it. Lord let Your abundant blessings fall from the windows of heaven upon my friend and family today. Lord please draw us close to You. Lord fill us with Your presence, we cannot exist without the constant assurance of Your presence in our lives. Lord we can sense the power of the betrayal which You experienced that night because, in our own ways, we have felt that too. Lord forgive us for straying, for betraying, the trust that You have given to us. We pray for mercy and for fresh resolve. Lord use my friend to be the touch of Your love to all. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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