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. (John 13:26)

It is an excruciating truth.

Jesus would be betrayed. Judas would be his betrayer. Endlessly, we can debate Judas’ free will—or lack thereof—in this narrative, but the bare facts don’t change. Judas betrayed his Savior Jesus.

Here is the excruciating truth for us all: we will be betrayed. At some time, somewhere, someone will strike at us to hurt us. Intentionally, willfully, and purposefully.

Oh, it may be couched with, “I love you, but…” If you love me, why are you saying it? “I’m sorry if this hurts your feelings, but…” If you know it’s going to hurt me, why utter it at all? “This is just who you are, and you can’t change, but…” Do you believe in me and the power of Spirit so very little?  I don’t know.

What I do know is that those words will live inside my heart forever, a voice I can and will to drown out with the voice of Jesus, “You are my friends…” (John 15:14)

The human heart is mysterious place, full of hidden motives and secret sins. I am no better, no worse, than my brother throwing stones, so I will not pick up those stones and throw them back.

And I keep a stone in my pocket today to remind me of the wounds my Savior suffered for me, never, even once, saying a mumblin’ word.