A Disrupted Supper - Heather McEwan
The air must have been electric that night. They all knew something was intensifying yet their minds couldn't hold it. This gathering of men had walked and talked and slept by the wayside, eaten and learned and grown, seeing and participating in things like no one before - yet one of them was disgruntled and had taken secret action.
Imagine the Leader making clear to the group that He knows. "One of you will betray me" were Jesus words. The room erupts as eleven question in shock and disbelief… Eleven, perplexed say "Lord is it I?"
The pretender mimics with "Teacher, is it I?" He's playing along, unable to speak as the others with "Lord" as this was his very denial. Shock and charade. Shock that Jesus knew, not that events were in motion. Charade was his mask and his language.
One of the eleven went on to declare he never would, never could betray His Lord! Not even to the point of death!
Eleven soon fled. Fear can do that.
Eleven later returned. Love can do that.
Only Judas trod the betrayer's road for what he thought would be his gain and only Judas fled to his death. His remorse was not love. The "innocent man" he gave over was still not His Lord.
The risen Jesus still speaks: "Do you love me?" "Do you love me?" "Do you love me?"
Feel very free to join us at Easter - our services are on Good Friday and Easter Sunday at 9.30 am. You'd be so welcome!
Heather McEwan
