The night Jesus was betrayed

There are so many things that took place the week we now call Holy Week that one could share but I am going to focus on the night Jesus was betrayed.  Even on this night there is so much to talk about but how would you react if you knew that one of your closest associates would betray you?  I cannot speak for you but I know I would be crafting my defense, strategy and how I could minimize the damage that this betrayal would have upon my life.  If I knew it for a couple of days I know I would be thinking about it constantly and do a lot worrying which some have call thinking.  I would try to convince myself to trust the Lord but it would be difficult to have the peace that passes all understanding.  I think many would handle it better then I would but now let see how Jesus handled the betrayal.  Jesus begin the night by washing the betrayal's feet.  This act of service was not only done as an example for us but an act of cleansing to prepare for His sacrifice.  Jesus spoke kindly and graciously to His betrayer.  Jesus encouraged the disciples to love one another in the midst of being betrayed.  Jesus instituted communion, the new covenant as the betrayer plotted to betray Jesus.  Jesus never took His focus off the Father's will the whole night.  This reaction of Jesus in the midst of knowing He was going to be betrayed is an act of love for us that goes beyond my ability to comprehend.  I am so thankful that Jesus did not react the way I would have but Jesus laid His life down for my sins and the sins of the world.  His focus was on doing the Father's will no matter what was happening around Him.  There are so many lessons for us to learn from Jesus on the night that He was betrayed.  Lord may You grant a spirit of wisdom, revelation and understanding come upon us as we reflect on all You did for us during this Holy Week.

Pastor John