On Betrayal & Denial
Maundy Thursday
Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38
On Thursday, Jesus sent Peter and John from Bethany to the Upper Room to make preparations for the Passover meal. Jesus no doubt felt the increasing weight of what obedience to his Father would require. Yet in a profound example of humility, he knelt to wash the feet of his own disciples before preparing to eat the meal. The upside down kingdom is on display in Jesus kneeling to serve those for whom it was necessary for him to die. They could not live apart from him, and yet he served them without regard for his position as their King.
Throughout the evening, Jesus spoke with his disciples about the significance of this meal. “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16. In fact, Jesus would become the very fulfillment he spoke of. This is my body, broken for you. This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for the forgiveness of sins. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
After sending Judas to do what was in his heart to do, Jesus concluded the meal with his disciples and journeyed to the Garden of Gethsemane where he would glorify his Father, plead with him, intercede for his people, and ultimately submit to his will. The prayer of Jesus for his people was a prayer for the unity of believers and their sanctification in truth. It would be a night of grief and lament, and the prayer of Jesus would conclude as a crowd approached him with swords and clubs, signifying the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Jesus declared in that moment that darkness reigned.
Jesus was arrested and taken first to Annas and then the High Priest, Caiaphas, where a case was being built against Jesus. Multiple false witnesses came forward testifying against Jesus, but no evidence was found that would allow them to put him to death. After continued questioning, Jesus was finally asked if he was the Messiah, the Son of God. When he confirmed that what they’d said was true, they accused Jesus of blasphemy and began hitting him with their fists, spitting on him, and calling for his death.
As Jesus endured several unlawful trials, Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, would be outside in the courtyard denying three times that he even knew Jesus. A night that began surrounded by his disciples and sharing a meal would end in the physical abuse of Jesus and his desertion by all those closest to him as the religious leaders called for his death.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:3-4
On Maundy Thursday, we sit in sorrow over the betrayal and denial of Jesus. We recognize our own susceptibility to do the same when we’re uncomfortable or pressed. We ask the Spirit to search our lives for any area where we unintentionally deny we know him. And we express our gratitude for the faithfulness of Jesus in bearing our griefs and carrying our sorrows.
Jesus, we’re more like the men who betrayed and denied you than we’d like to admit. Continue to show us what it means to surrender every area of our lives to your lordship.
