Wednesday of Holy Week

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

John 13:21-32, NRSVUE

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining close to his heart; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

Reflection - Deacon Allison Wilcox, Grace Lutheran Church Royersford

Jesus has just washed their feet. He - the master - became a servant to them. Their minds had to be swirling around with all kinds of questions as they reclined back at the table to eat. This night wasn’t going the way they expected.

And Jesus? He’s troubled. They could surely see it on his face. But then, the kicker...

One of you will betray me?? There’s confusion - but are they shocked? Did they expect it?

They are concerned about who it will be to do this, but are they thinking about the actual implications of it? Do they have a real concern that it will actually happen?

And even when Jesus clues them in - they ignore the signs. When Judas slips away into the night, they barely notice.

Because now things seemed to be back on track. Now Jesus was talking about glory again. That’s what they were here for all along, wasn’t it? To help Jesus enter into his glory. To share in that glory with him.

They still hadn’t figured out what glory actually is.

Have we?

Prayer: Your kingdom come, you will be done, in me and through me, Lord, that the world may see your true glory. Amen.