Judas

John 13:21-30 (The Message)

After he said these things, Jesus became visibly upset, and then he told them why.

"One of you is going to betray me."

The disciples looked around at one another, wondering who on earth he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one Jesus loved dearly, was reclining against him, his head on his shoulder.

Peter motioned to him to ask who Jesus might be talking about. So, being the closest, he said, "Master, who?"

Jesus said, "The one to whom I give this crust of bread after I've dipped it." Then he dipped the crust and gave it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.

As soon as the bread was in his hand, Satan entered him.

"What you must do," said Jesus, "do. Do it and get it over with."

No one around the supper table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that since Judas was their treasurer, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the Feast, or that he should give something to the poor.

Judas, with the piece of bread, left. It was night.

There are so many aspects to betrayal.

Most likely, all of us have been betrayed by another person at one time or another. Most likely we've also done our share of betraying.

There is pain when promises, loyalties, trust, is broken.

Jesus became visibly upset.

These words are striking and perhaps disturbing.

It is difficult to picture Jesus being upset. Perhaps only at Lazarus' tomb and at the tables' of the moneychangers do we find other pictures of "upset" Jesus.

The reason?

Loss of relationship.

Judas, sitting close enough at this table to receive the bread from Jesus, and in other Gospels, to "dip into the bowl" with Jesus, was a trusted disciple. He was the keeper of the common purse, and must have been considered trustworthy.

And his story would end in betrayal.

This past Sunday, we shared communion at Shepherd of the Hills. Much like the disciples did so long ago, we gathered at the table with the Master.

Just like those disciples, there were pieces of both faith and betrayal lingering in us all. There are moments when we cry out to Jesus for help, and moments when we turn our backs, and fail to give his life any place in our own.

The path of Holy Week twists further into the darkness. In a real sense, it is our own hands that betray Jesus. We exchange his purpose of love, forgiveness and challenge for that which is socially or financially expedient.

But that's not where our story has to end.

Good Friday is coming, with its pain and bitterness. But so is Easter Sunday. There is hope, and there is light that cannot be extinguished, no matter the darkness.

Prayer: Teach us the hard lessons of Judas, and awaken us to the pride, fear and brokenness in our own hearts that could lead away from you and toward paths of betrayal. Help us to overcome the anger and pain of the past, and move deeper into relationships of grace, goodness, resurrection and new life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture: John 13:1-17, 31-35