Conversations on the way to the Cross 5: The Betrayal

The disciples discuss Jesus' comments at the Passover meal

"What did he just say?"

"One of us will betray him? He can't mean it!"

"Why, we're his closest friends, we've been with him for years. We'd hardly turn on him now, would we?"

"It's not me, is it Lord? It's not me?"

"Well, it won't be me. I'll stick to him till death!"

"Yes, Peter, no one could imagine you being a betrayer! But if he's right, it must be somebody in this room."

"What did he mean, 'the Son of Man goes as it has been written'? Written where?"

"Don't ask me, Andrew. I bet Bartholomew'll know. Barty? Did you hear what Jesus just said?"

"Eh? Sorry? Oh yes, it just reminded me of something. Here it is, Psalm 41: 'Even my best friend, that I trusted and shared my food with, has kicked me in the teeth.'"

"That's just horrible! I wouldn't do that! Would I, Jesus? What a thing to say at the Passover meal, too. It's meant to be a celebration!"

"This one's not been much of a celebration though, has it, John? Jesus has had something bothering him ever since we got to Jerusalem. Look at him now - we might as well not be here. He's got his mind on something else entirely."

"And Judas Iscariot has been acting funny the last couple of days, too. Didn't you notice?"

"That's right, he really didn't like that woman at Simon's house, did he? With the perfume. And he did seem a bit jumpy this morning. He's just young, though, he'll get over it."

"I don't know, I think this whole Jerusalem trip hasn't quite worked out as he was hoping for. And disappointment hurts pretty bad at that age. Poor kid."

"Yeah. Jesus was the nearest thing to a father he ever had, I reckon. Complete hero-worship."

"Where did Judas go, anyway? Did you see, Andrew? I didn't notice him slip out."

"No, I didn't either. Judas? Judas? Where could he have gone?"

Luke 22:14-23

Other Conversations from the Cross
1: The Donkey
2: The Commotion
3: The Authority
4: The Anointing

6: The Burial
7: The Precaution
8: The Resurrection

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