Holy Wednesday
When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”... [Then] Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”
John 13:21 & 27
The story of Jesus’ betrayal is found in the Holy Week narrative of the Gospel of John, immediately after the profoundly moving scene of Jesus taking the role of a servant as He washed His disciple’s feet. Within the aftermath of this loving ministry, Jesus is betrayed by His own disciple.
Dictionary.com defines betrayal as “the act of exposing or delivering someone to an enemy through treachery or disloyalty.” Of the many sayings about betrayal that I researched, the following is perhaps the most poignant: “The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies.”
I think the most common response to betrayal, after the initial pain and heartache, is probably something along the lines of anger, followed with a desire for revenge. Yet, that was not the response of the One who came in the flesh to show us God’s love. All four Gospels record Jesus’ acceptance of His journey to the cross (Matthew 20:22–23; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; John 18:11).
Jesus prayed, “Let this cup pass from my lips; nevertheless, not my will but thy will be done,” (Matthew 26:39) and thereby embraced the will of His Father. It could be Jesus accepted His fate solely out of obedience to His Father, but I believe there is another part to the equation: that it was, and is, Jesus’ love for you and for me. His loving act of obedience led to His death, and His death opened the doorway of grace for all who would receive Him into their hearts. Even for those who betray Him. Even for us when we have betrayed Him.
As I contemplate the events of Jesus’ betrayal, I remember the wonderful hymn by Arthur Campbell Ainger (Hymnal p.534) God Is Working His Purpose Out. I invite you to pray and meditate on the words below as they relate to not only the events of Holy Week, but also of the events in your life’s journey.
“God is working His purpose out
and the time is drawing near.
Nearer and nearer draws the time,
the time that shall surely be:
When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God
as the waters cover the sea.”
