“I Will Not Deny You”

Week Two - Day 2

Today's Reading -- Matthew 24:1 to Matthew 26:35

The public teachings and healings of Jesus came to an end with the close of chapter 23. Jesus has done all that he could to speak and witness openly of the kingdom of God to all who listen.  He has met every challenge from the religious authorities and parties within Israel.  His attention is now turned to the private instruction of his disciples.  I can’t imagine they liked everything that Jesus revealed to them: signs of the end times; the persecutions, torture and death they will face; unexpected separations within the community; and God’s final gathering of the faithful into heaven.

Okay, maybe they liked the sound of that last one, but what’s the rush? The disciples have Jesus with them now, and probably hoped they would for years to come.  After all, they were all now in Jerusalem, the center of their world, and Jesus seems to have faced down his opposition and gained the upper hand.  This could be just the beginning of something grand.  Opposition to Jesus was organizing, however, and was able to take advantage of the doubts of an insider.  Judas Iscariot has grown disenchanted or frightened by recent events and looks for a way out, playing right into the hands of the chief priests, the ones who seem most angry with Jesus.

Meanwhile, Jesus gathers for what will be his last meal with the disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion.  It is a high moment of drama as Jesus offers his body and blood, not only to the disciples but also “for many for the forgiveness of sins” (26:28).  Even though Peter pledges his undying loyalty (“I will not deny you” he boldly declares), he will learn that it takes more than words to be a follower of Jesus - something for all of us to keep in mind.