Wednesday of Holy Week: John 13:21-32 – One of you will betray me

During Holy Week, Readings and Meditations will be posted up to four times a day around  6 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm

John 13:21-32

21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples — the one whom Jesus loved — was reclining next to him; 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

31When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.”

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silence bringing your attention to the Breath.
  • Every time we participate in  communion, we receive the bread that was dipped in the cup.
  • We come to the table as we are.  We are all betrayers.
  • Yet when we receive the Holy Meal, Satan does not enter us.  Because of the gift of Love on the cross we are transformed by the Holy Meal,  forgiven and unified with Christ in the body of Christ including the Cloud of Witnesses.
  • On this evening before the Last Supper, how do you wish to reflect on way you betray Jesus?
  • Resist shame and accept the transforming love of Christ.
  • On this evening before the Last Supper, how do you wish to reflect on the way the world betrays Jesus?
  • Resist shame and accept the transforming love of Christ.
  • How is God calling you to be a reconciling voice to the betrayal of Jesus?
  • Believe you are called to this work.
  • What is your message from God?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Wednesday, March 28, 2018, the Wednesday of Holy Week (Year B)

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 70
Hebrews 12:1-3
John 13:21-32


If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings (c) 2018 The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

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