A Happy Ending

There are many stories in the Old Testament that revolve around the experience of “betrayal”: Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, Sampson and Delilah, King David and Uriah, to give a few examples. Finally, in the New Testament, as the “Last Supper” story unfolds, Jesus is seated at the table with His closest friends. He says to them, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me” (Mt. 26:21). Later He says, “You will all fall away because of Me this night” (Mt. 26:31). Then to the Apostle Peter He says, “Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times.” Peter replies, “Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You” (Mt. 26:34-35).

Someone has said that the greatest tragedy in the passion story is not the death, but the betrayals Jesus suffers at the hands of His closest friends. It can also be said that if there is…