Unthinkable Betrayal
Hope after Failures of Faith
John 13 and 21
The Potential to Betray
Betrayal slithers silently among the chosen twelve during their last supper together. Jesus knows his death on the cross approaches. He breaks bread for them and washes their feet. In the coming hours of darkness, all of them will abandon Jesus in one way or another.
What does this say about their faith? How does it warn me about mine?
As evil curls up to pounce in the pre-dawn hours, Jesus announces that a traitor dines at the community table. Who is it? they wonder. They cut their eyes from face to face—each blind to their own potential to betray.
Two narratives of denial unfold this night according to John’s eyewitness record. One treacherous and the other tragic—each path unfolds in the wake of failed faith. The first betrayer stumbles down a one-way road to self-destruction. The second finds the U-turn from failure and returns as the Rock of the church.
The Demands of Faith
As supper concludes, Judas Iscariot leaves the room to follow his chosen destiny. Jesus warns Peter, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.” Peter seems stunned. “Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Peter feels all-in, full of passion and devotion. Like many new followers of Christ, he feels invincible with Jesus by his side.
“I overestimate the strength of my faith when I underestimate the pull of my human nature. ”
I suspect Peter fell into a trap that also trips me. I overestimate the strength of my faith when I underestimate the pull of my human nature. Self-preservation and self-gratification still flow through my red blood. My ego presses for top-billing. I succumb to attention-seeking. My tongue criticizes, exaggerates, and justifies. Emotions drive the appetites of my stomach and body. Embarrassment or apathy keep me from owning my allegiance to Jesus.
Jesus knew Peter would mature into all-in. But like me, Peter grew into the demands and practice of what “all-in” really means. Following Jesus includes self-denial—giving up control of my dreams, subduing my passions, surrendering to God’s timetable, and obeying the Father’s plan to the very end. Crosses wait for all who follow the Christ.
Hope After Failure
The night before the crucifixion wears on and Peter’s devotion wears thin. As the suffering of Jesus intensifies, Peter falls asleep on guard duty. When he witnesses the treachery of Judas unveiled, he scatters in fear with the rest. The same Peter who begged to follow Jesus now, denies he even knows him. And his curses fall upon those who ask.
Failing Jesus to his face feels irreversible. Unthinkable. Judas, although remorseful, never turns back. He abandons all hope. Peter keeps on failing—multiple times in that one night. Yet, in contrast, he submits to the bitter lesson and grasps the cost of the cross.
When Peter turns back, failure works strength into his faith. He learns humility in recognizing his capacity to betray. He gains wisdom to avoid the trap of empty bravado. Instead, he anchors himself in his love for Jesus rather than confidence in himself.
When Peter sees Jesus alive again, he doesn’t hide his face in shame or hopelessness. He runs to him. And for a second time, in the light of grace, he hears the call from Jesus: “Follow me.”