Could Have Been Anyone

"Rabbi! Where are you, Rabbi? Rabbi!"

"Forgive me, Rabbi! I am sorry......"

(Cries echoing in the hearts of betrayers)

 

On the first of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Where do you want us to prepare Your Passover meal?"

He said, "Enter the city. Go up to a certain man and say, 'The Teacher says, My time is near. I and my disciples plan to celebrate the Passover meal at your house.' " The disciples followed Jesus' instructions to the letter, and prepared the Passover meal. After sunset, he and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, "I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators." Matthew 26:17-21 The Message.

 

Greatly distressed, one by one they began to ask him, "I'm not the one, am I, Lord?" He replied, "One of you who is eating with me now will betray me. For I, the Son of Man, must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for my betrayer. Far better for him if he had never been born!" Matthew 26:22-24 NLT. Did a wave of  remorse wash over the disciples when Jesus revealed to them what perhaps had been brewing in each of their hearts? Greatly distressed, one by one they began to ask him, "I'm not the one, am I, Lord?" Matthew 26:22 NLT. Nonetheless, history as written in the gospel according to Matthew  has it recorded that Judas, the son of Iscariot, was the one who ultimately betrayed Jesus. 

 

As much as it is true, perhaps it was also convenient to label Judas as the son of perdition John 17:12 NKJV. During the times when we have to face our own demons, do we choose to hide behind the appearance of self-righteousness and sainthood or do we allow the Holy Spirit to convict us of our human frailty?

Was Judas Iscariot the only one who had turned his back on his Lord in his heart and through his actions? Could he have been the more vocal, opinionated and ironically, the more decisive one among the disciples? Was he more transparent about his thoughts during the three years that he had been in the company of Jesus than the others? Did he betray Jesus for merely thirty pieces of silver or out of disappointment?

 

Then Jesus told them, "Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says, I'll strike the shepherd; helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered......Peter broke in, "Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't." "Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times." Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing. Matthew 26:31-35 The Message. Then Jesus was seized by his enemies and all his disciples cut and ran. Matthew 26:47-56.

 

Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, a servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean." But Peter denied it in front of everyone. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said. A little later some other bystanders came over to him and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent." Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know the man. And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went away, crying bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75 NLT.

 

How predictable yet disappointing that when fear and shame grip us and threaten to expose weaknesses, mistakes and evil thoughts. We 'deny! deny! deny!' after a stream of 'run! run! run!'. We've all been there. It's only human. Yet it is also human to remain, return and reconcile. Therein lies the untapped potential of a GOD reality. Therein lies the beauty of love. Therein lies a living hope. But Judas never tasted it. In his brokenness and remorse over betraying his friend, rabbi and Lord, he took his eyes off the Christ on the cross and hung himself on his own.

 

When Judas, who had betrayed him, realised that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders. "I have sinned," he declared, "for I have betrayed an innocent man." "What do we care?" they retorted. "That's your problem." Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5 NLT.

 

We may not know how to forgive nor is it easy for us to change our perspective on someone who has hurt, deserted and betrayed us. But GOD knows and GOD has. After His resurrection, He sought out his own and extended His peace. That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said. John 20:19 NLT. But He did not stop at that. He took it to where it really mattered with the one who needed it most.

 

After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you." "Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you." "Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said. Once more he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love  me?" Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." Then Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep." John 21:15-17 NLT.

 

Surely Jesus knew how Peter felt towards him. Surely Peter was remorseful over denying Jesus when he was arrested. Perhaps that was exactly why Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. So that Peter could forgive himself. So that Peter could accept Jesus' forgiveness. Last but not the least, so that Jesus could restore Peter to his calling, his destiny.

 

Shalom,

Sv "+