Listen

After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.”

His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was at Jesus’ side. Simon Peter nodded at him to get him to ask Jesus who he was talking about. Leaning back toward Jesus, this disciple asked, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus answered, “It’s the one to whom I will give this piece of bread once I have dipped into the bowl.” Then he dipped the piece of bread and gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.

John 13:21-26

Think

Just one of you? Really? Did Jesus actually think only one of them would betray him? Maybe it was irony or the dark humor of a man who was facing imminent death. Then again, perhaps he truly believed in the rest of the disciples. More likely, he wanted and needed to believe that his friends would be true.

His faith was misplaced. One of them didn’t betray him. Eventually, they all did. They fled, hid, and denied. Still, his words “one of you” speak across the ages. Jesus believes in us. Even though he shouldn’t, he does. Even though we fail, betray, and turn away, Jesus doesn’t give up on us.

How have you betrayed the one who knows the true you, the hidden you, and loves you anyway? Confess it. Be specific. Respond to Jesus’ faith in you by being honest with him. Without honesty about our betrayals, we can never grasp the depths of his love for us.

Wade Griffith

Pray

Jesus, I confess my treason. With thought and deed, I have betrayed your love and the calling you have on my life. Show me your mercy that I might be restored and reconciled to you. Amen.

Go

To believe in Jesus is to receive his costly love. To follow him is to share that love with others.

How will you share the love of Jesus today?