Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

Read John 13:21-30
 
John 13:21-24 Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: one of you is going to betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another completely puzzled about whom he meant. 23 One of the disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was sitting next to Jesus. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him and said, “Ask him whom he is talking about.”
 
AS often as I’ve read this, my first thought has been that the disciples were eager to know Jesus’ betrayer, so they could accuse him and protect their Master. But now I have a second thought. Perhaps they were concerned about their own guilt. Is it possible each was wondering, “Is it I?”
    Do you ever wonder if you will betray Jesus? Oh, it’s too late to kill him with our betrayal. Judas did that. And thankfully, wonderfully, Jesus rose from this betrayal to reign as our King in Heaven. So it’s safe for us. None of us could possibly betray him.
    Or could we? Or do we? Let’s consider these questions: Do you love God with all your heart? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Do you accept Jesus as Lord of your life? Do you speak of Jesus’ love to others? “Betray” can mean to “let down”, to “deceive”, or to “turn in”. I think we at times “turn in” or trade Jesus’ ways for our own ways. We betray his commands for our own desires, don’t we? Yes, we deceive Jesus with, “I’ll follow you, Lord.” Then decide to go elsewhere. We let down our Lord when we remain silent while others mock him. The “betrayal list” can become very long.
    Yes, it is easy for us to look at Judas and judge him. But let’s look to Jesus and ask, “How have I betrayed you, Lord?” Living in Jesus’ resurrection means we confront those heart betrayals that keep us from the king. Let’s stop denying Jesus. Instead, let us deny ourselves to take up our cross and follow him. (from Mark 8:34)
 
Resurrection Truth: is living loyal to Jesus.