Betrayal

Paul begins Christ’s words of institution by saying, “on the night he was betrayed.” Those words rivet attention on an aspect of the situation that we may overlook. The words became particularly real in the Garden of Gethsemane later that night when Judas, one of his closest associates for three-plus years, performed his betrayal with—of all things—a kiss.

At one time or another, most of us have been betrayed, something usually done by someone close to us—as in this case—someone we trusted. We know how that feels, and the Lord would have felt it too. But that broken trust did not disillusion him and cause him to “throw in the towel.” He carried through his responsibility when Judas betrayed and his disciples deserted.

A time will probably come when we experience betrayal again. This table helps fortify us against what other people do, especially if what they do involves betraying us in some way. We vow not to quit just because God has not protected us against such sin. We remember that the Lord we follow wasn’t protected either.