Jesus Was Deeply Troubled and Testified…One of You Will Betray Me
“Jesus was deeply distressed and affirmed, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you, among you will certainly betray me” (John 13:21). With these words we enter into the opening phases of Jesus’ last suffering and interest. We are called into that type of petition we call reflection right here. We are invited right into the mind of Jesus, aware that one of his cherished Apostles is mosting likely to betray him.
Dishonesty. There are few emotional realities that are a lot more uncomfortable. To be activated by one that you have actually loved and also opened yourself to in profound friendship, harms us to the core. This is what Jesus is experiencing currently. In his complete humankind, he is experiencing the pain of this upcoming betrayal and also the worries of the suffering that is to come. Points are starting to warm up, things that will certainly lead Jesus, at some point, to the cross. We are participating in the final 3 days of his life with us below on earth. His goal’s objective is about to be met, but it will certainly not be very easy. There will certainly be levels of enduring that we can not also think of. As well as he will voluntarily as well as humbly endure this suffering, in accord with his Papa’s will, in order to reveal the true deepness of God’s love and problem for every and every one of us, and to complete his mission. It was via this suffering and also fatality that our salvation was made complete and total.
We can likewise enter into the minds of the Apostles in our imagination here. What would it have resembled for them to hear this from the one whom they had liked as well as followed so seriously these past 3 years of his public ministry? We can think of those that were truly innocent of this charge, being hurt and perplexed by the sting of complaint. “Me, Rabbi? How could you assume that I might do something like that? I like you. I could never do something.” However right here we need to come back to ourselves and also recognize that every single time we transgression, in little ways, and also in great methods, we are betraying Jesus. We are helping to batter the nails right into his hands and also feet, weighing down on his crown of thorns. Yes, we do betray him in plenty of methods.
In fact there are 2 who betray Jesus, aren’t there. We constantly think about Judas, and also appropriately so. Yet Peter rejected him three times. This, also, is a sort of betrayal. Peter’s rejection was from a recognizable fear, one that most of us have actually experienced, a fear of the potential discomfort, the emotional, psychological, or physical suffering that may come our method if we remain in some means associated with the “charged.” Judas’ dishonesty was done for love of cash. Peter’s love for Jesus, and his genuine understanding of that Jesus really was, the Messiah, made it feasible for him to look for and also rely on God’s forgiveness. Because of this, he became one of the greatest of the Twelve Apostles. Judas’ error was that when he had realized what he had actually truly done, he could not forgive himself. He did not really rely on Jesus’ love for him. He felt he was beyond mercy, that what he did can not be forgiven, as well as he took his own life. This was a wrong of prideful presumption, a sin versus the Holy Spirit. We are challenged below to be more like Peter. We are challenged to ask God for the grace to put our count on constantly in him, to lean into his love, particularly when we have failed him. Why? Since, “His love is sustaining” (Psalm 118:1).
Lord, we have betrayed you in our transgressions, however in the blessed confidence you have actually offered us, we have actually familiarized, also, the depth of your love for us. Give us the beautifies we need to be always faithful to your love. Make us strong in the faith to ensure that we may serve you humbly and happily in all points. We hope in your name, Jesus. Amen!
