On a Thursday, Jesus and his disciples were having dinner or what we call the Last Supper. Not necessarily a Mexican meal, but some traditional dishes of their culture.
Anyway, at some point Jesus begun to speak and the shatter slowly diminished. By the time everyone’s eyes were on Jesus or on their plate before them, their ears tuned-in to Jesus’s voice. The words they heard were probably much like a parable to them.
The verses below, the words Jesus spoke, have been, are and will be deciphered and studied for ages to come. Each time, many will get encouraged, receive clarity and be rescued from the deceiver’s hands into Jesus’ arms.
18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned[a] against me.’[b]
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”
22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas,the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” John 13:18-30 NIV
Since I believe Jesus is the son of God, I try my hardest to follow his ways and to study his word. This passage tugs my heart to a stop, each time I read it. Intently, I listen to the Holy Spirit, to hear what he’s trying to help me understand, learn and see.
Today, God’s Holy Spirit helped my imagine. It was as if a portal opened and I stepped back in time for a story came alive in my mind. There I stood, in the room with the twelve disciples, Jesus and other servants ready to serve.
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Being the servant who poured the wine when Jesus comes, I step in the room and begin to fill the cups. This evening wasn’t out of the ordinary, but somehow we knew there was something special about tonight’s gathering.
As always, when Jesus begins to speak, we who serve hurry to finish our task and move out of sight.
All the servers were done and had taken their place. I still needed to pour the wine in Jesus cup. Since he had motion to fill the twelve cups first, I was left in an awkward place, I couldn’t walk away like I’ve done before. To not disturb his speaking, I walk behind him, which I’ve never done. until this evening.
About to pour the wine in Jesus cup, when I hear his words, “My Spirit is troubled.” Paralyzed, I remain knelt beside him and my hands trembled.
Jesus said, “. . . someone is going to betray me.”
My body weakened and Christ held me up, took my hands and helped me pour the wine in his cup.
In those eternal seconds, my soul was baptized in love and I began to cry. In spirit, I hear him tell me as he continued to speak. “Child of mine, it will all be fine. Be strong, console souls, hold them steady, like I’ve done to you.”
I scooted back and took my place. Tears trickled down my nose, as the word, “betray” rang loudly in my mind.
Then suddenly Judas ran out of the room. A silent heavy sorrow filled the atmosphere making it difficult for me to breathe. Not sure what else Jesus said for my spiritual lantern had been blown out. The only words, I kept from that night were, “Lift others. They’ll be shaken. Console their souls with His love.”
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In my present day, March 31st of 2018, I begin to think of the events between the betrayal Thursday and what we call Good Friday.
We, Christ followers, remember these events as if they all happened from Thursday, to Friday, to Sunday. But if we take time to refresh our minds and our hearts, we’ll recall from the betrayal night to the resurrection morning, difficult and trial-some days occurred.
Agony built for Christ and his followers. There wasn’t anything Good about Friday, not to them. For the servant girl who filled Jesus cup, will not be serving him wine any more. She lost the one who loved her soul. It would take time for her to understand his prophetic words. Even us today, still struggle to unfold all of what Jesus taught and meant.
Like his faithful followers who wrote the scriptures and the many others who kept Jesus’ love flowing, I too have been called to console souls with the love my soul has been baptized.
Jesus rose, was seen and spoke again. He speaks to us today through his word and his Holy Spirit. He wants for us to know not only about his love, but his forgiveness and his healing grace.
Today, he lifts me, steadies me, and walks with me. Without Christ, I would be hopelessly lost, unloved, and tattered. Not sure where, but somewhere, my face would be planted to the ground, too weak from a malnourished spirit, too crippled from a broken heart and too poor for my soul to live on. BUT!
Because of my Lord and savior’s love, I’m healed, forgiven and living to console souls. His love flows through my spirit, energizes my soul and gives me a purpose to live one day at a time. Thank you, Jesus, for your continual love for me and the world. I love you, my Savior.
corazon181 