Who betrays you, Lord?

After Jesus had said this, he was deeply troubled and declared openly, ‘I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, completely puzzled about whom he meant. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus. Simon Peter motioned to him and said, ‘Ask him who he is talking about.’ So that disciple moved closer to Jesus’ side and asked, ‘Who is it, Lord?’ (verses 21-35)

Read John 13:18-30

‘Susan has given in to temptation, but for us the temptation is only just beginning’, the pastor said. He was speaking wisely to his congregation after one of their members had embezzled their funds. He was cautioning them against finger-pointing.

Technically, only Judas betrayed the Lord Jesus. Yet, when the others were puzzling about the identity of the betrayer, the Lord’s finger could just as easily have been pointed at them. While they did not turn him over to his enemies, they did run from those enemies and leave Jesus to his fate on the cross. Broadly speaking, they all betrayed him.

Some people are guilty of shocking evil. But it pays to remember that evil takes many forms, some of them quite respectable. Strictly speaking, it is only a friend who can betray another. If we are friends of Jesus, with all natural human weaknesses and frailties, then in our thoughts, words or deeds, or in our inaction and silence, we too are quite capable of betraying him. We all need forgiveness. Surely, Jesus died for us too!

Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for I too betray you. Thank you for carrying my betrayal to your cross and for sticking faithfully by me. Amen.

by Rev Aub Podlich, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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