John 13:22-25 "His disciples stared at
one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple
whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this
disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he
asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
In this passage, Jesus was telling His disciples (friends) that He
knew one of them would betray Him. I can just imagine the sorrow that Jesus
felt in saying those words and this close-knit group of friends looking at each
other and wondering who could possible do such a thing. I can imagine them
saying, "Surely, Jesus must be wrong... but... He's never been wrong before..."
Then a certain friend leaned against Jesus breast and asked who it
could be.... and He told him. I don't know if others heard and gasped or if he
just told - I believe it was John.
If I close my eyes, and enter into that 'secret place' with Jesus,
I can see myself leaning against His breast. Safe, secure, peaceful, protected
- those are just a few of the words that come to my mind at the moment.
That's what friendship is - having a person or a group of people
that are safe, secure, peaceful, protective and being the same with
them. Having friends to pray with - to have fun with - to cry with - to share
joy with and even to share sorrow with.
It's hard when a friend betrays us, but it happened to Jesus -
it's may happen to us as well. Jesus knows what that feels like - and He had 11
other friends surrounding Him, comforting Him and encouraging Him in His
sorrow. THAT is what the Kingdom of God is all about!
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