“…and while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’ He answered, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.’”
This is one of the many scenes of this week that I want to fast-forward as soon as possible. Surely not I, Lord?
Of course not! It was Judas. He’s the one. Blame him. And hurry up! I can’t stand the thought of that question lingering out there without a definitive answer. I’d rather close this case right now!
Yet in the text, Jesus mysteriously said that the betrayer would be the one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me. As my friend, Jerry Webber, has encouraged me to ask: wouldn’t that have included all the disciples present? Didn’t they all partake of the meal?
This would explain why the disciples appear so confused about the identity of the betrayer. The way we read it, Judas is the obvious choice. But for those who actually sat around the table with Jesus, it could have been any of them. They all dipped their hands into the bowl. So they all said to Jesus, one after another, surely not I, Lord?
Furthermore, if we were able to examine the heart of each person sharing that meal, we would likely find they each had some small recognition of their own capacity to turn on Jesus in order to save their own skin. Is that why they were so uncertain of themselves?
In reality, we all betray. Judas may have been the story's culprit, but we are responsible. too. The impulse to look after ourselves is just as strong in us as it was in those original followers of His.
You and I have the capacity to betray. And if we are willing to recognize ourselves as possible traitors, then receiving Holy Communion during today’s Maundy Thursday service (and every occasion henceforth) might look different. We might consider that we take the bread and dip it into the cup just as Judas did.
In our remembrance of the Last Supper, a company of betrayers gathers for a meal hosted by the One we will betray. Even so, we are invited by Jesus, who looks through our twisted motives and our shame to call us home nonetheless.
Broken for you. Poured out for you.
Thanks be to God.
Grace to You,
Darren