On the Night He was Betrayed

We call it, “The Last Supper.” Paul simply referenced it as “the night Jesus was betrayed.” Three of the gospel writers record that significant part of it. And that Jesus saw it coming.

It was part of the plot, the act that introduced the chain of events that would culminate in the Lord's death.

It was an abject tragedy. At the same time, it was the highest achievement.

It had to happen, the death, for our sakes. Did the betrayal have to happen? Which of us has not done almost as much at our lowest moments, choosing our ways over His?

But this one was unique, made worse by coming from one of the twelve, a confidant and friend.

Little is otherwise said of the pain of the betrayal itself. Nothing about its gut-wrenching emotion. One can feel on realizing that where you thought you were loved, you were only used, and more than used, actually turned upon.

Have you ever experienced it? You trusted and thought you were trusted. You thought you were loved but there was no love there. You thought you had a friend but in reality, you had an enemy.

It may have cost you deep emotional anguish. For Jesus, it was the beginning of what cost Him everything.

It cost the betrayer everything, too. As Jesus said, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” (Matthew 26:24 NIV)

It's part of the story, the account we're called upon to remember.