Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Meditation

Scripture:

Read John 13:21-30.

TEXT: (Jesus said) "... 'Truly, truly,
I say to you, one of you will betray
Me'" (John 13:21b).

"One of you will betray Me." Judas
must be totally shocked by Jesus'
words. One by one the disciples
ask a question that floats around
the table. With rising suspense
Judas watches the question work
its way around the table to him-and
he even joins his voice to theirs: "Is
it I, Lord?"

If Judas' voice didn't give him away,
what Jesus does next will make it
crystal clear. He dips the morsel of
bread and hands it directly to Judas.

Have you ever stopped to think about
how Jesus turned the tables on Judas?
At this moment the betrayer is at the
mercy of the One he was going to
betray. Jesus holds Judas in the palm
of His hand. With a word Jesus can
betray Judas to the other disciples,
who are armed with a few swords.
Jesus is in complete control; He can
betray Judas. Instead, our Lord sends
His betrayer on his way: "What you
are going to do, do quickly." As Judas
rushes out from the danger, the other
disciples have no idea what Jesus
means.

Which one of us hasn't betrayed
another-gossiping secrets that should
never have been shared or exposing
another's shame just to flatter our own
self-righteous pride? How often have we
in effect handed Jesus' over to His
enemies by our sinful actions or our
silence?

Judas walked out into the darkness.
But in this same darkness Jesus will
still reach out to him one last time when
Judas leads the soldiers into the Garden
of Gethsemane to arrest Him. Jesus still
reaches out to you and me with hands
that bear the mark of the nails.

PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, Your steadfast love is
amazing to me. Keep reaching out
to bring me back from my sins.
Amen.

The Lutheran Hour Ministries