They Never Suspected

You know what's most intriguing to me about the Last Supper? It's not the washing of the disciples feet the way a servant would, so that was unconventional. It's not the taking of bread and wine in remembrance of Christ, as His body and blood shed for us. It's not even the predictions about His coming death. The most intriguing part of the Last Supper in my mind is that when Jesus said someone would betray Him, no one suspected Judas. 

You'd think the people closest to him would've had an idea what he was going to do, but he traveled with the other disciples and with Jesus, eating with them, serving with them, spreading the Good News, and so much more. He even handled the finances! You don't give just anyone access to your bank information. They all trusted him so much that when Jesus said someone would betray him, they didn't point the finger at each other. They asked, "it's not me, is it?" 

No one thought Judas would be the one to do it. He lived just like them! He was one of Jesus's closest followers and friends. They all thought to themselves about how they might be the ones, worried they'd let Jesus down. They didn't accuse one another. They all believed each of the other disciples was all in for Jesus, so why should they suspect one of the other disciples would be the betrayer, especially Judas.

The only time I can even think of in Scripture that hints towards Judas not being "all in" is when the woman pours perfume on Jesus's feet and he asks why she didn't donate it for the cause, but in the grand scheme of things, that's not enough to suspect him. Peter asked questions and made comments all the time that he probably shouldn't have. Phillip doubted there would be enough food for the 5,000. Honestly, the disciples questioned or doubted what Jesus was doing or capable of doing on multiple occasions, and were left in awe when He performed miracles and showed what He could do. Judas was one of them, and the only context we have in Scripture that he would betray Jesus is the context provided by the authors of the gospels after the events happened when they were recording it all. So when it came down to it, they weren't expecting it to be Judas. They weren't sure who was going to betray Jesus, but he sure wasn't their first pick. 

Then when the time came for Judas to hand Jesus over, he greets Him with a kiss, and Jesus replies "Do what you came for, friend." Friend? I know they'd been through a lot together, but if someone I trusted betrayed me by handing me over to death, in that moment I don't think "friend" is the word I'd want to use. But Jesus? He called him "friend". They were friends, and close ones too. Jesus didn't let just anyone travel with Him (well, an argument could be made that says otherwise...). He knew what Judas would do, but He still called him to be a follower and put him in charge of the finances and knew how close he and Judas would get, probably hoping it wouldn't happen, hoping his friend wouldn't betray him. But it happened anyway to fulfill the Scriptures. 

It's hard to spot who's not "all in" for Jesus sometimes. There's people who look like they're walking the walk, people who you'd never suspect would turn their back on Jesus when it counted, but who all the same aren't actually walking with Him. I think when we get to heaven someday, we're going to be surprised who all comes with us and who doesn't. There's a lot of people who are pretending to follow Christ, who may even be walking pretty close to Him, but who's hearts aren't all in and who will reject Him in the end. It's heartbreaking to think about, but it's true. 

So I ask you: are you all in? I'm not asking if you do all the Christian-y things and go to church and pray and all that. Are you close in your walk with God, and are you ALL in? To the point where you'd NEVER betray Him? Be careful where you walk, or you may wind up walking in Judas's footprints instead of Jesus's.

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