John 13:21-32 (NRSV)
Read John 13:21-32 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." Verse 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. Verse 23One of his disciples-the one whom Jesus loved-was reclining next to him; Verse 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. Verse 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Verse 26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. Verse 27After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." Verse 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Verse 29Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. Verse 30So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Verse 31When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. Verse 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.
Devotion
Betrayal. Lord, who is it? Even Judas seems curious. We ask, but do not want to know. It is like Hemingway’s bell for us. We are the ones who have betrayed, denied, abandoned. It is true of the apostles at the table with Jesus. Which of us can assume superiority? The true pain of our Holy Week walk with Jesus is that the suffering we see is partially due to each of us. Our lack of trust, and inability to risk what Jesus says, contributes to Jesus’ reaction and persecution. Preparation, then, requires confession, along with following Jesus through the way of the cross.
Prayer
Our Lord, we know we are the ones, and ask your forgiveness. Prepare for us our walk of the cross, and stay with us as we pilgrim through life, we pray. Amen.