Thursday - Family and Close Friends

²⁰ When evening came, he was reclining at the table with the Twelve. ²¹ While they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” ²² Deeply distressed, each one began to say to him, “Surely not I, Lord?” ²³ He replied, “The one who dipped his hand with me in the bowl—he will betray me. ²⁴ The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.” ²⁵ Judas, his betrayer, replied, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” “You have said it,” he told him.
Matthew 26:20–25 (CSB)

Pointing out the brokenness of the nation and the wider world are often easy for us because in many ways, the issues and difficulties may not directly apply to us or affect our daily lives. But when we zoom in even closer, into the tighter circle of our families and friends, we tend to gloss over the hard and messy things. We may put on masks, sweep things under the rug or ignore elephants in the room and keep secrets.

It’s easy to point outwards into the community and the rest of the world to call out what is broken; but it requires sacrifice and pain to turn that finger toward our inner circle.

We tend to be much more protective and private about the relationships that are closest to our hearts. Examining these relationships requires a bit of vulnerability that doesn’t come naturally for the vast majority of us. These are relationships that often help to shape us or even, at times, guide us through major difficulties and milestones in life—yet they can also be devastating when the broken nature of the world presents itself in the form of betrayal, deceit, or lies.

Jesus lived through this, only he “knew for sure” the betrayals were coming. He taught and travelled and ate with Judas, who would ultimately betray him. And after he was taken away, Peter, one of his most loyal and loving disciples, denied knowing who he was.

Though Jesus knew all of this would come to pass, he still held them close as family and friends. Even Jesus’ inner circle—those he considered his closest allies—were not excluded from the broken and fallen nature of this world.

Reflection Questions:
1. Where do you lament about broken or strained relationships closest to you? What do you wish could be different?

Prayer:
Take a moment and talk to God about these things. As you pray, consider Psalm 55:20-22.