Surely, Not I, Lord?
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It was the night of the Passover. All four gospels tell the story. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each include different details from the evening: about the room they found, just as Jesus had specified, how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, the shared bread and wine, an argument that arose. But they all record Jesus saying that one of them would betray him. (Matthew 26:21, Mark 14:18, Luke 22:21, John 13:21)
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His words stunned them. “His disciples stared at one another at a loss to know which of them He meant” (John 13:22, NIV). It was beyond comprehension. They had given three years of their lives to Him. “They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this” (Luke 22:23, NIV).
Was it silent for a while? Was there quiet whispering around the table? How long did it take for it to sink into their minds? As each one considered Jesus’ words, did he realize that he might be the one? That any one of them was capable of the deed?
“They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely not I, Lord?’” (Matthew 26:22, NIV)
John called himself the one Jesus’ loved. Peter later boasted that even if everyone else deserted Jesus he wouldn’t. Matthew had given up a lucrative job in tax collection to follow Jesus. Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Each one asked, it couldn’t be me, could it?
And each one of us knows that sad moment deep in our soul. “Surely, not I, Lord?” Any of us could have betrayed Jesus. We all have, in one way or another.
That is precisely why Jesus died – because we all sin. After Jesus’ resurrection, eleven of those disciples found forgiveness and were transformed. So can we.
Holy God, You know my heart – the evil I’ve done and the wrongs I’m capable of doing. Forgive me; cleanse me by Your blood; transform me by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.
Questions: How would you have responded if you had been sitting at the table with Jesus and He said that someone was going to betray Him? Could you have betrayed Jesus?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
I look at Calvary and an overwhelming sense of awe fills my heart. The depth of His love is breathless in its scope. That He would say, “Yes LORD, I’ll go. I will pay sin’s cost for the world. This Sinless, Perfect Lamb would be sacrificed for me. His Blood shed – for me. He got up, and now sits at His – our Father’s right hand making intercession for us. In spite of us falling short, our Father looks upon the doorposts of our hearts and sees His Son’s Blood and the judgment for sin passes right over us!
How awesome is that! What a God! What a great God!!!
Blessings to all!
I think about how much Jesus has done for me and how he is continue doing for me.All so, I can follow him on the road that leads off to everlasting life.He is just so amazing to me for giving up his life so we could have life eternal.Amen
It is true that Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone. Each of us, like Peter or John or Judas, must acknowledge not only our sinfulness, but also God’s power to forgive. We must believe that God can do what He says He can do – forgive us, make us righteous and give us eternal life.
“After Jesus’ resurrection, eleven of those disciples found forgiveness and were transformed.”
Was it that forgiveness was not offered to Judas? Would it be more accurate to say that Jesus offered forgiveness to all but it was not that Judas did not find it but that he could not bring himself to be forgiven?
thank you Jesus for what you did for me and each and everyone of us
Oh, it is easy to say, like the apostles, “surely not I!”
However, that is why Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross, because of me . . . of my wretched sins. And you?
Forgive me, Lord Jesus, of my sins. You sought me and bought me with your redeeming blood . . . I am yours now. I pray I may serve you this day . . . and the next and the next . . . . and the next. Thank you for your love. In Your Name I pray, AMEN.
My pastor preached on this last night.