BETRAYING, DENYING & ME

In today’s New Testament reading, Jesus is found in the Upper Room with His disciples. After the meal, He shares with the group that one of them would soon betray Him. Judas had already accepted a ‘bribe’ of 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus into the hands of the religious authorities.  Yet, upon hearing Jesus state what would soon eventuate, Judas asks, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?”  Of course it was Judas who was planning to hand Jesus over and yet he attempted to feign innocence.
                But it was not only Judas who acted shocked that Jesus would accuse one of their number of plotting to betray Him.  Each of them exclaimed using the same question Judas asked, “Surely not I, Lord?” (Mt. 26:22).  While not betraying Jesus in the same manner as Judas, Peter denied Jesus while cursing and swearing, the apostles fell asleep while praying with Jesus in the Garden, they would scatter and hide behind locked doors afraid for their lives.  Now, if you cannot see yourself in the behavior and the words of the apostles, you, like Judas are deceiving yourself.
                How often have I uttered those words of deception, “Surely not I?!”  Unworthy of Jesus.  “Surely not I?!”  Jesus said if I love father, mother, son or daughter more than Him I am unworthy of Him.  Hypocrisy.  “Surely not I?!”  But Jesus said to get the speck out of my own eye before attempting to get the log out of my brother’s.  Adultery.  “Surely not I?!”  Yet Jesus said if I have lusted I have committed adultery.  Murder.  “Surely not I?!”  But our Lord said if I have hate in my heart I would be condemned as a murdered. Humility and a right self-perception are necessary traits of every follower of Jesus.