The Last Supper

“They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, ‘Surely not I?'”

– Mark 14:19

Just as Jesus allowed the tares to grow with the wheat, He allowed Judas to walk with Him as one of the twelve. Judas was present for all of the training the rest of the group received. The betrayer was present from the lessons in the storms on the Sea of Galilee to the sending out of the twelve on missions trips. We even find Judas in the most intimate setting with the Lord during the Last Passover. Although present at the table, Judas left early and never partook of the New Covenant even though he had the opportunity to do so (John 13:30).  

Judas did not strive for this honored position within the group; he was chosen. Jesus even prayed all night for this selection (Luke 6:12-16). Even during the Lord’s Supper, Judas was allowed to sit at the left of Jesus, the place of honor. And when Jesus broke bread with him, a sign of mutual respect and trust, even this did not break Judas’ heart. His plan of betrayal was already in motion. Indeed the tares have been allowed to grow with the wheat. Every person has a role in God’s sovereign plan. Judas’ actions helped orchestrate God’s plan of redemption by sending Jesus to the Cross (Mark 14:10-11).

When Jesus told the disciples that His betrayer was sitting with them at the table, they were all grieved. Both genuine believers and a false betrayer were at this table of Jesus. And both, we are told, examined themselves. Jesus’ words produced a healthy distrust of self. Genuine self-examination of heart ensued as each disciple asked, “Is it I?” Since the false appears so much like the true, this is a question each disciple of Christ must ask often. Times of trials and testing can bring us to a place of introspection. They are good for our spiritual health and can help expose what our walks with Christ have produced in our hearts. May we take stock of our lives today to ensure we know where we stand with our Savior.   

“The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts.”

– Proverbs 17:3