As we approach Resurrection Sunday in all of its glory, let us not neglect the days leading up to Sunday, for they too have something to teach us.

Today is Holy Thursday (in some circles it’s called Maundy Thursday) and on that night over 2,000 years ago A LOT happened. A few notable events that took place on that night were: the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the washing of Disciples’ feet by Jesus, Jesus wrestling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and Jesus’ Arrest. However, I want to draw your attention to two other incidents which also took place that night as recorded for us in the Gospels.

It was on that night when Judas followed through with his premeditated act of betrayal (Mt. 26:14-16, Mk. 14:10-11, Lk. 22:3-6, Jn. 13:2). I find it fascinating that in 3 of the 4 gospels, what precedes Judas’ decision to betray Jesus is an incident involving a woman anointing Jesus’ feet using expensive perfume. To the Disciples (especially Judas), this act of worship seemed “wasteful.” In other words, between Judas and this woman was a conflict of value, a conflict of worth. It turned out that Jesus was worth only what Judas could get for him, which ended up being 30 pieces of silver and led to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.

That same evening Judas betrayed Jesus, was also the same evening Peter denied Jesus after previously stating he was a “ride or die” Disciple (my translation lol). If you’re familiar with the narrative you know that after Jesus was arrested (because Judas snitched on him) most of the Disciples fled in fear. Peter, staying somewhat within close proximity so he could see what was happening to the Lord, was spotted in the crowd by people gathered at the scene. Recognizing him, they confronted him and called him out as a member of Jesus’ crew and on three separate occasions Peter denied knowing or being with Jesus. It turned out that being associated with Jesus wasn’t worth it for Peter on that night as his actions reflected.

We usually only speak of Peter’s actions as ones of denial, but may I suggest that Judas’ actions also reflected a denial? Peter denied that Jesus was worth dying for. Judas denied that Jesus was worth living for. Each of them refused to accept Jesus’ invitation to trust Him even if it meant foregoing the pleasures of this world and/or embracing suffering and death.

These character sketches remind us of the depth of human frailty and fickle nature of the human heart. How easy it is to fool ourselves into believing we’re in it to win it, that is, until we’re confronted with an opportunity that tests that theory. In some measure, we’ve all been Judas and Peter, choosing the kingdom of Self over the kingdom of God. 

Holy Thursday reminds us of our capacity to betray Jesus in creative ways and so we sit in sacred sadness and reflect on this unfortunate reality. As we do this, we do so not without hope because we read in John 13 of a King who knowingly washed the feet of the very ones who would betray and abandon him. Or as John puts it, “he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). Our sin is great, his love is greater. How do I know? Because Sunday is coming…be encouraged! 

T.