“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.”
John 13:21-22 NLT
In most ways, it is a relief to us that we don’t know what the future holds. Imagine if we knew when we would die and how the death would happen? Wouldn’t we do our utmost to avoid it? Or imagine if we knew how a job or a marriage would work out? Wouldn’t we try to make changes to avoid unpleasant or unwanted consequences? Such thoughts make it all the more amazing that Jesus, knowing what was going to happen to Him over the next day or so, still carried on, His mission to Planet Earth being more important than any personal considerations. In fact, Jesus even seemed to put Himself in a position where He was, ever closer, aligned with the culmination of His mission.
But occasionally we see Jesus’ humanity appear, and in our verses today we see that He was deeply troubled. Other versions add “in His Spirit”. In Mark 3 we read how Jesus selected His twelve disciples, “Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, … Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him)” (Mark 3:13-14, 19). Even at the beginning of His ministry, Jesus knew all about Judas Iscariot and what he would later do, but He still chose Him. But that didn’t stop Jesus being upset that Judas, one of His disciples, was going to betray Him to the Jewish authorities. Judas had been on mission with Jesus for about three years, and he would have seen the miracles, heard the teaching, and even gone out himself, healing the sick and casting our demons. Having observed Jesus do so much for so many people, why would he want to betray Him? Unfortunately, Judas never explained his actions, and, apart from his moment of remorse where he returned the thirty pieces of silver saying that he had betrayed an innocent man, we will never know what his motivation was. The devil though appeared to have a hand in Judas’ actions, as we read in John 13:27, “When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”
It is a painful event, being betrayed by a trusted friend or colleague. A relationship will turn sour. Sometimes our behaviour will repel a loved one. Many people, after a painful relational breakdown, will build walls of protection around themselves and will never allow anyone to get close to them ever again, and in the process become emotionally poorer. But Jesus gave us a commandment, to love one another. John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples“. We must be committed to our friendships to be obedient to Jesus’ command, as we remember what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:13, “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others”. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:8, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins“.
It’s ok to be upset if a relationship goes wrong – after all, Jesus was – but if it can’t be mended then we move on, always looking for an opportunity to put things right. Paul wrote, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other” (Romans 12:9-10). Wise words from Paul, indeed.
Dear Father God. In Your Kingdom we have many brothers and sisters. Please help us to love those around us with a true love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 