Betrayal and Pride: The Contradiction Within Us

We always like to bash on those silly Israelites and those bone-headed Apostles. Their mistakes and failings are legendary. One of these moments of breathtaking contradiction happened during the last supper. Two verses stand side-by-side, shocking everybody – except those involved. Read both of these verses again, and stand amazed that they are next to one another.

Luke 22:23 (NASB95) — 23 And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing [betray Christ].

Luke 22:24 (NASB95) — 24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

Can you see the massive problem here? Let’s be clear about the scene. Jesus said a betrayal was going to happen, and it would be by someone around the table. Arguments are then made and refuted about who would betray Jesus. Judas apparently wasn’t even in the line-up. He had charge of the money-bag. Everyone thought he left because Jesus sent him to do charity. 11 men were all pointing fingers away from themselves to someone else. “Hey Peter, Jesus called you Satan.” “Yeah, but Matthew was a professional betrayer as a former tax collector. Maybe he is falling back into that?” Who can imagine how this dialogue may have sounded.

Then, somehow the dialogue shifted. Maybe someone figured a smear campaign wasn’t the best approach. Instead, listing all the reasons why they should actually be at the head of the table would be more convincing. The others followed suit in a shameful round of one-upmanship.

Let’s recap this event. All of these men are candidates for being the betrayer. Then, they assert their candidacy for “Most likely to be Jesus’s right-hand man.” There is a problem when you are in the running for both betrayer and greatest. But these guys couldn’t see it, and neither can you.

It’s probable you have done a palm-to-the-forehead when reading about the Israelites and Apostles, yet you don’t see that you are also in the running for betrayer. You should shudder at the evil that resides in your fallen flesh. Additionally, the reality that you have occasionally cataloged your good deeds in an effort to quantify your spiritual ranking means you are looking for greatness in all the wrong places. You should shudder at the evil of your Christ-minimizing pride. When you put those two realities together, you should tremble at how both betrayal and pride can be in you at the same time. Sin is insanity, and the contradiction that can live in us is staggering. The sooner you come to realize this, the sooner you will turn away from yourself and fall upon Christ.

The call of scripture is to forsake all confidence in the flesh. Apart from Holy Spirit enablement, we will fall into some level of sinful betrayal, instead of faith-filled obedience and courage. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we will be consumed with thoughts about self, instead of the selfless joy of exalting Christ and serving others. Apart from the Holy Spirit you will be an insane contradiction: A potential betrayer who asserts greatness.