“When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve.18 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.” 19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 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
Each Gospel account has a slightly different version of what exactly happened that night in the Upper Room. After Jesus speaks about betrayal, in Matthew 26:25, for example, Judas is called out. In Luke 22, Jesus says the one who is going to betray Him has his hand upon the table. Even at this moment of His greatest sacrifice, His most influential moment, Jesus is surrounded by a disciple who will betray Him.
And it’s not just Judas; Peter, too, would betray Christ, though not in the same manner. Many of the others would run away at the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus needed them most (and this was after they fell asleep on Him while praying and “keeping watch”).
How can someone who walked with Jesus for three years, who saw His miracles, His majesty, and His love up close, betray Him? And yet, I ask all of us: how can we continue to betray Him by sinning each and every day? How can we choose evil over good, the devil over God? It’s human nature to be in this battle for the heart, mind, and soul. The actions of Judas, and Peter for that matter, are not unlike our own actions of failure and faults.
It is safe to say that we have all betrayed Christ in our sins and actions multiple times in our lives. But have you ever been betrayed? Has someone you loved betrayed your trust? Has someone turned their back on you when you thought all was good? Remember how that feels? It’s painful. This is what Christ was feeling and perhaps still feels when His people betray Him in sin.
But on a happy note, we do not have to live in betrayal. Christ redeems us, the Holy Spirit fills us, and God forgives us. Each and every day, we are found willing and able to serve the Risen Christ. We are equipped to be the Church and to reflect the light as imitators of Jesus.
This is the hope in the midst of horrible acts of betrayal—that Christ died for us while we were in our sin. Not before or after we sinned, but in the midst of our betrayal, Jesus loved us still. It’s good news for the weary that we have a Savior who goes before us: Jesus, the Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
“O Lord God, thank You for loving us sinners! Thank You for Your pardon of grace and for the benefits of Your passion. I am so grateful that while I was far from You, You drew near. My sin does not scare You but calls for Your sanctification. Redeem me, O Lord, and restore me to the joy of Your salvation. I love You, Lord, and praise Your name. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.