As Easter comes upon us it is timely to revisit John Chapter 13 onwards. The final night before Jesus’s death and we see him telling his disciples some hard truths, which they struggle to grasp
These few verses demonstrate their uncertainty
John 13 vs. 18-22 – Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture
That says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ I tell you this beforehand,
For I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit, you responded to my call, I didn’t need to conscript you
Over the last three years we have journeyed together, sharing all things, we have been a band
I am your leader, I chose you and you have followed me, yet one of you is against me and is in plain view
I have demonstrated my love to you tonight by my actions, yet you struggle to me understand
In the days ahead there will be things that sadden and scare you, and there are things you will say and do
Know this not all of you are with me, for one of you is against me, I tell you this beforehand,
So that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes
My messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
Don’t lose sight of who I AM, I have chosen you and you will speak and share my words, be my witnesses
Stand on what I have told and shown you, for my words are my Fathers words, soon I will with him be
Who will stand with me? Whoever does not stand with me is against me, woe to him, for his end comes
I call you to be my messengers, those who welcome you, welcome me and the Father who sent me
Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth; one of you will betray me!
” The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.
Eleven disciples were unaware of whom Jesus was speaking of, but Judas knew he was the one in view
He had already been bought by the authorities and on no one else could lean
Jesus knew what was ahead and the depth of his feelings was evident, the disciples could them see
It caused them much consternation, who is it, which one of us does he mean?
Eleven of them knew it wasn’t themselves, but Judas knew and I know I wouldn’t in his shoes want to be
I wonder how if I was there that night would I have picked who Jesus did mean
We can easily get caught up in second guessing God, may we instead learn to be messengers, in Him be
Mark Maffey, June 2008
(NLT)