Betrayal

¹⁷ In the evening He came with the twelve. ¹⁸ Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” ¹⁹ And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” - Mark 14:17-19

     Reading through the different accounts of Jesus' last week, the disciples are not really at the top of their game during this time frame. They still don't understand what the Messiah will accomplish in the coming days. They fall asleep in Gethsemane and desert the Lord when He is arrested. However, I am amazed by these three short verses in the book of Mark. When Jesus informs them that one of them will betray Him, I expect to see a different response. I think I would be very indignant if Jesus were saying these words to me. These twelve me are Jesus' closest followers and friends. They have lived with the Master throughout His entire ministry. They have helped Him and supported Him. They have witnessed miracles and even taken part in miracles. Now, in this intimate moment, the Object of their devotion is accusing one of them of being a traitor. Yet there is no indignation, no finger-pointing and no pouting disciples. Instead, they are all filled with sorrow and begin to ask if they are the one who will betray the Lord. Despite all of their faults, or perhaps because of their faults, these men realize the capacity for sin in each of their hearts. They trust that Jesus is telling the truth and that they are capable of being the betrayer. It is this attitude I must strive to maintain in my own life. The moment I become too sure of myself, the moment I feel above the ability to betray, is the moment Satan may very well choose to attack. We are all capable of things we never imagined. If not for the Messiah where would I be? It is only by the grace of God that I can be a James and not a Judas. I must always be wary of my own heart and sinful desires. When I become lazy and complacent I may find myself betraying the very One I love and worship. Thirty pieces of silver is a cheap price for the Creator and Savior of mankind. How cheap is my own betrayal of Christ? I must keep my mind on God, my conscience strong, and never lose sight of the depravity lurking within me.