“’Truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ But Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the other disciples said the same.’” Matt 26:34-35
Taking a break from the Lord’s Prayer series of devotionals to talk about Easter for a few weeks.
In the lead-up to his death, Jesus announces some shocking things. Not only does he say that he is preparing to die, but that his friends will abandon and betray him (Matt 26:34). If we have already heard the story of Jesus, the identity attached to the betrayal and denials are obvious. Peter denies. Judas betrays. Even the Gospel writers are not that interested in holding suspense. The Gospel according to John repeatedly talks about how Judas will betray Jesus. Hindsight makes these things obvious.
But, for the apostles, Jesus’ close friends, this is shocking news! Instead of scoffing when Peter says that he absolutely won’t deny Jesus, they all say the same thing. When Jesus talks about a betrayer, instead of pointing at Judas, they all say, “It’s not me, right Lord!?” Why is this part of the story that we take for granted such a surprise to Jesus’ friends?
First, I think it is because Jesus treated all of the apostles with such love that it was not obvious who it might be. He loved them equally and shared the bread at the table with all of them. Even the comment “The one who dips the bread with me will betray me (John 13:26),” is only a give-away of Judas’ betrayal in hindsight. All of them dipped the bread with him. All of them were loved and shared at the table of fellowship with Jesus, even Peter; even Judas.
Second, betrayal and denial are among the most recognizable and despised parts of human stories. Few wake up in the morning with the intention to deny what is right, hide from advocating for the innocent, or betray their friends. But such actions are something we recognize is possible in us. There is no person who is innately more prone to such actions or immune to them. We are all capable of being Peter or even Judas. That is what is so troubling about Jesus’ correct and shocking predictions.
The good news however is that it is not just because of the deniers, betrayers, and crucifiers that Jesus dies. It is for them and for their salvation. Jesus goes to the cross for all of us who know the possibility of betrayal and redeems us to the stronger hope of grace. Love and faithfulness are not only victorious over those who abandon and reject Christ, but offer a new path forward.
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