John 13:21-32

As this Last Supper progressed, “Jesus was troubled in his spirit” (John 13:21). He knows what will happen. He’s known all along. After three years training, encouraging, and challenging these men, they are all going to be tested tonight. Ultimately, they will all fail Jesus (see John 16:32). 

Jesus tells these men that one of them is going to betray him. These men started as unlikely friends, at best. Between Simon the Zealot (the Zealots were revolutionaries and terrorists seeking to violently end Rome’s occupation of Israel) and Matthew the tax collector (Rome secured its taxes by convincing occupied people like Matthew to betray and steal from their own communities for Rome and for themselves), there must have been mistrust and conflict. No wonder, then, they were “uncertain of whom he spoke” (John 13:22). Even after three years together, learning and growing and training with Jesus, as they look around the table, as they look in their own hearts, they can’t be so sure that one of their number, maybe even they themselves (Mark 14:19), won’t betray Jesus.

Jesus knows what is in Judas’ heart, and he still lets him go out into the night. He even says that this is how he is glorified (v.31-32). 

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:6-8

“Weak.” “Ungodly.” “Sinners.” In the face of the death of their master, these apprentices flee. And Jesus still willingly and lovingly washed their feet. Knowing they would abandon him, he shared the bread and the cup with them. Knowing they would fall asleep, he still invited them to pray with him in the garden. 

And Jesus died for them. For us. For all who were powerless in our life apart from God, slaves to sin. This is not his defeat, or his humiliation (Hebrews 12:2). It is his victory (Colossians 2:14-15). It is his glory to reconcile us to God through his perfect sacrifice. 

Jesus,
Master and Teacher,
I am a difficult student.
I want to learn to know you better,
to trust you more deeply,
and to resemble your character more clearly.
And I often fail.
Thank you for your mercy, your kindness, and your patience.
Help me to take up your easy yoke
Today, and every day after.
Amen. 

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