“Is it I Lord?”
Good Morning Friends,
The amazing thing is that Jesus knew at some level what Judas and Peter would do and choose them anyway. Luke teaches that Jesus prayed all night before identifying who among the many devoted disciples would become apostles. By revelation, Jesus chose them, and he appointed Judas as treasurer of the group. The 12 were in ministry training and intimate settings with Jesus for more than three years. Like Peter, Judas preached about the Kingdom of God, healed people, and exercised power and authority over evil spirits. Judas was there. He saw it all. He did it all. Great relationships however, require a high level of integrity in order to thrive. When a violation of trust, large or small, occurs it’s important to examine the conditions that contributed to the situation and to engage in a healing process that will restore trust and goodwill to the relationship. The thing is that Peter and Judas had no clue that they would deny and betray. Neither were prepared. Both had to have asked, “Is it I Lord?”
Scripture: As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.
Matthew 17:22-23 (NRSV)
After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus 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. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some 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. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
John 13:21-30 (NRSV)
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
Psalm 41:9 (NIV)
It is not enemies who taunt me— I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me— I could hide from them. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng.
Psalm 55:12-14 (NRSV)
Message: Judas betrayed Jesus; Peter denied his Lord. Jesus saw Satan in them both. What is going on here? What is the difference between these two men? Friends, the key is to realize that when we stop communicating with God we cease to exist in the Hebrew mindset. When people think of God, church, religion or things of that nature they usually think of a code of ethics, rules or rituals. When asked what is important to God they will quote several “thou shalts or thou shalt nots”. They may mention baptism, membership or giving. Many of the things they might mention are well and good in their place, but they are not the most important things to God. Who you are is the most important thing. And maybe who Judas was after his heart had been hardened having been rebuked by our Lord in the presence of the anointing of Mary was something Judas did not even expect. Judas closed off the relationship. In his subsequent betrayal of Christ, he sells his master for the price of a slave. Both Peter and Judas missed the mark. Both needed some room for slippage. Every relationship does. But when one ceases to exist it closes the opportunity for engagement. Friends, a resolution of a betrayal or denial of the truth is vital to the integrity of a relationship. The capacity of a relationship to recover from them has a lot to do with the responses, particularly on the part of the betrayer and denier to the situation. The more open and non-defensive they are, the more likely it is that there will be resolution. Peter shows us the way of healing the broken trust. For Judas it was just not in his nature to marvel at the tremendous grace and mercy of God manifested at how God could have forgiven even him. At some level the cover-up of the transgression just extended the damage. Judas just could not see this. Peter eventually did. Friends, know that trust is inevitably sacrificed when secrets go undetected. Friends, know that God is committed to continue the relationship but we have to…even in our sin…seek reconciliation.
Pray we acknowledge our actions and stop living a lie. Pray we get honest. Pray we answer the questions of those we have betrayed. Pray we listen to the feeling of others. Pray we be patient. Pray we take responsibility for our actions. Pray we stay focused on our intention of restoring trust and love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 