Daily Devotion for Lent 2015, Day 35

Daily Devotion for Lent

Monday, March 30, 2015, Day 35

Mark 14:12-25 (NRSV)

"The Man with the Jar of Water"
by James Tissot

We have in today's passage a sense of advanced preparation unknown to the disciples that is very similar to when Jesus enters Jerusalem in Mark 11.  Jesus is shown to be in charge of the situation - even when he shows that he is not blindsided by the betrayal of Judas.

Such a painful experience is perhaps lessened by the foreknowledge but maybe it just makes it worse.

When Jesus announces the betrayal without naming the future offender, all of them begin to doubt themselves and to profess their innocence.

The fact that he states it will be one with whom he is eating may also allude to the fact that each of them will desert Jesus when he is arrested.

The intensity of this reading reminds us that we could easily be asking the rhetorical question, "Surely, it is not I, Lord?"

As we all share in the guilt of being less than we are called to be, we are also reminded that Jesus then broke bread with all of them.  Even knowing of the coming betrayal, Jesus allows Judas to choose his own fate.

We decide through our actions whether or not we will be a part of the community of faith.

Sometimes we do things that may cause others to question our loyalty.  The church is meant to be a place that showcases the forgiveness we have in God.  Our job is to help others experience this just as we have.

Prayer:

O God, by whom we are guided in judgment,
and who raises up for us light in the darkness:
Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties,
the grace to ask what you would have us to do;
that your spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices,
and in your straight path we may not stumble;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.


Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer.

Picture by James Tissot [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons