Thoughts for the Day

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The disciples and Jesus have been together for three years, travelling great distances, met opposition and support, and witnessed many things. They have grown close to Jesus and he to them. In our reading, above, we see that the favoured disciples are either side of Jesus at the Passover table,* probably John on one side and Judas on the other. Only this way could they have a quiet word with Jesus.

Jesus is 'troubled' we are told. We have seen how Jesus has been confronted again and again by his opponents. Yet we have not been told he was 'troubled' by their actions. Indeed he often seems to deliberately put himself in their way or carry out a healing on a day or a place where they are bound to object. He does not hesitate to talk of himself as the Messiah ('Son of Man'), and he warns his disciples of his coming death. Now, though, we are told he is 'troubled'.

Judas' evasiveness, or general attitude has given him away. As a leader, Jesus knows his followers better than his own kin, and he surely must be heartbroken at this terrible act of betrayal. He would not stop Judas, but his soul must have cried out at the loss of one so close to him.

In the same way, today, Jesus does not stop us from betraying our faith again and again, (after all we have free-will), but He grieves for us, and welcomes us back when we sincerely repent of our sin.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

* Note: This incident actually occurs on the Thursday. See 'Further Thoughts' as to how food was probably eaten.at the table.

Lord Jesus Christ,
we profess to worship and honour You,
and to follow You as did Your disciples,
yet all too often
we choose to go our own way,
and betray Your trust.
We pray You to keep us close,
remind us of our weaknesses,
and help us to be truly penitent.
Amen.