We all betray jesus, but he never betrays us

Sunday will be Easter. For many of us, that will come without the big family gatherings we're accustomed to. And for some, it will be a sad reminder of just how deep these challenging times run.

It got me to thinking about the last supper. In the Christian world, today's the day we reflect on the last meal Christ would have with his twelve disciples before he's crucified on Good Friday. He has them all gathered together, ready to share a final meal, and then he opens up the gathering with these inspiring words:

"“Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”

If you want to have fun at the first big family dinner you get to have post-pandemic-social-distancing times, give that welcoming line a try!! I imagine social distancing will reconvene in a heartbeat 😀

When Jesus offered those words, the disciples all took turns saying, surely you aren't talking about me. Oh, I can picture their looks. I can hear their voices. I have 11 and 13 year old boys who are every bit as good at the incredulous "surely you're not talking about me" as any disciple could ever be.

And, like them, in the end the disciples would all be guilty of what Jesus was suggesting.

Judas ultimately betrayed Jesus. Peter denied him 3 times. And the others fled for their lives when they saw what Jesus was going through. Turns out Jesus could have said "yes you" to all of them.

And me personally, I can see myself in all three of those betrayals. I've lived a life that at times betrayed Jesus, denied him and ran from him. I've taken a try at all of them - and probably at times - all three at the same time.

In the Christian faith, we practice communion in our churches as a way to remember that last supper. And for me, that practice is always about reflecting on the grace I need. Because yes, Jesus - it is I.

On Good Friday, I'll get to hear the response Jesus has to that confession. On Good Friday, I'll get to see just how far he was willing to go to say I know it's you, but Keith, I still want you at my table. When Good Friday is over, I still want my Easter celebration to include you.

You know, there are still days - maybe every day - I say "Is it I?"

And every day, Jesus says, yes - yes it is. But I'm going through with this die on a cross plan. And I'm going through it not in spite of you, but because it's you.

Because it's you.

Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, T'was blind but now I see.