And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” (Matthew 26:21-22)

While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

(Mark 14:18-19)

“But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing. (Luke 22:21-23)

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” (John 13:21-25)

All four of the Gospels recount the story of Jesus’ betrayal. And in all four, ALL the apostles question themselves as to whether it could be them. Of course, only one was sure. But at this pivotal time in His ministry and life, Jesus found himself surrounded by men who, even in their own heart of hearts, couldn’t be sure they wouldn’t betray him.

And they did all fail Him in various ways. Right after this seriously heavy moment, John and James started arguing about who would be greatest in Jesus’ new kingdom. They wanted to be at his right and left hand – if only they had known who was actually going to be on either side of Him as He came into His kingdom! All of them fell asleep in the Garden while Jesus prayed. Judas betrayed Him with a kiss. Peter, for all his reassurances, denied even knowing Jesus three times. Then they hid away in the upper room feeling defeated rather than remembering Jesus’ words about resurrection. The women went out to anoint His body for burial, not search for an empty tomb. And Thomas, upon hearing they had been visited by the risen Jesus, still refused to believe.

Those nearest and dearest to Jesus failed to understand and let him down in their unbelief. And yet, He willingly remained on that cross until the end to redeem them and give them eternal life.

It seems sad, but we should rejoice in this because if they did and still became heroes of the faith, there’s hope for us when we experience times of misunderstanding and lack of belief!

And we definitely will experience those times. It’s inevitable because God is God, and we are mere mortals. Like trying to explain algebra to your dog, the workings of God’s kingdom are largely a mystery to us. God has imparted as much as we need, and as much as we can really grasp. Having faith for the rest means accepting possibilities that seem impossible and realities that seem unreal. I feel for poor old Zechariah who in Luke 1:18 says to Gabriel, “How can I be sure of this?” I doubt many of us would have had any other response. Even blessed Mary replied, “How will this be?”

Perhaps that’s the real condemnation for the Jewish religious leaders. If they really knew our God, they should have known to expect the unexpected. Of course Messiah was going to be unexpected, improbable and inexplicable. Which of God’s miracles have we ever been able to explain? That’s really the whole point. When God shows up, the impossible suddenly becomes possible, the insurmountable obstacle moves. (Wait, doesn’t that sound like rough places becoming smooth, and mountains moving?!😮)

Trusting, obeying, submitting…these are the hallmark of our faith because they demonstrate belief despite no real evidence. This is why Jesus replied to Thomas,

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

PRAYER:

Lord, as we stand facing the gruesome crucifixion of Your precious Son, Jesus, our Lord and Master, we cry out like the father of the possessed boy, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Yours in Christ,

Jen