Betrayal

Betrayal! The very word brings shudders to our hearts, yet that is exactly to what Jesus was referring when at the Last Supper He said, "One of you shall betray me."

18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
(John 13:18-22, King James Version)

Betrayal

There are times in most of our lives that we wish we could see into the future. Just think of the changes we would make in our lives if we knew what was going to happen tomorrow, or next week, or even next year.

Jesus could see into the future, but what He saw was not pleasant. As a matter of fact, He knew that He would be betrayed by one of His own, beloved, disciples, and it was troubling to Him.

I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. . . . When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.

Betrayal! Somehow we all manage to have enemies, or at least those who do not like us, but it becomes especially troubling when that person is a member of our household. How do we deal with that?

How did Jesus deal with it? He certainly did not complain! He mentioned the fact that one of them would betray Him, but it was said in such a way that no one was sure who it was. Of course, we are not Christ. I cannot begin to imagine what Jesus must have gone through those last few days on earth before His crucifixion.

One thing is true, even in the midst of betrayal, we are not excused from the commandment to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us.

You know, I am rather glad that I cannot see into the future. It is enough for me to know that my future rests safely in the arms of the Lord Jesus Christ. What a blessed promise!

Next: Judas Iscariot - Verses 23-30