Devotional Reading from the Daily Common Lectionary: Luke 22: 14-23

Text: Then the disciples began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would betray Jesus. (v. 23)

I learned a long time ago not to say in a judgmental tone, “I’d never do that!” or “That’s the one thing that I’d avoid!” God, you see, has a deliciously humbling sense of humor that always places me in a position of doing that which I say I wouldn’t do or wish to avoid.

Today’s reading is from Jesus’ “Last Supper” with the disciples. He breaks the bread and lifts the cup before telling the 12 that one of them will betray Him. They begin to ask each other who it is. I can imagine the scene. Can’t you?

The most fascinating thing about this story is that none of the disciples don’t know who it is! In other words, each of them was capable of betrayal! No one were sure of either their faith or their loyalty!

I believe that that is true of us, too. Each one of us can betray Jesus in a thousand little way by the things that we say or think, do or fail to do. We can be very poor reflections of the Master.

When we become so confident of our ability to follow the teachings of Jesus we need to remember to be a little humble–or very humble, for that matter. After all, we have a lot to be humble about!

Lord God, give me a humble heart and a teachable spirit. You are the Creator and I am but the creature. May I always remember that distinction. Amen.