And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”
- Mark 14:17-19
Jesus loved Judas so well that even after living together for three years, none of his other disciples even had a hint that it was Judas who would betray Him!
What is the hardest part and truest test of being a follower of Jesus? I think it may just be choosing, as often as needed(!), to fight the good fight to love people the way Jesus loved Judas.
This does not always mean striving to maintain friendships; after all, Jesus had his 12 but He also had his three, and Judas was not part of the three (Peter, James, and John). This does mean loving sincerely and deeply from the heart (1 Peter 1:22), even if it can only be from a distance (Romans 12:18).
I decided to follow Jesus almost 30 years ago, and these past 2.5 have easily been the hardest. But I'm sticking with my decision, no matter what. I have decided, again...and I will keep on deciding!
I mean...in view of His life, love, example, and sacrifice, how could I not?!
