As we look to the Gospel accounts we may well succumb to a bit of a critical attitude toward the disciples. We could justify this as we might have noticed that the Lord had His moments of frustration with them as well. Mark 9:19, "And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long
shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” or Matt. 8:26, "But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm." And let us not forget Matt. 16:23, "But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Yeshua had His moments when He was less than complimentary to Peter and the twelve.
However, I do not think that we can be excused for our critical attitudes toward these early followers of Messiah. We have just honored the death and resurrection of our Lord. Many have heard messages concerning the Triumphal Entry, the Last Supper and Resurrection Sunday. In all of them we could point out the disbelief and cowardice of Yeshua's disciples. We could take note of their inability to grasp the clear teaching of their Lord and Rabbi who told them repeatedly of the plan to defeat death. This is clear in Mark 9:31-32, "For He taught His disciples
and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of
men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the
third day. But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him." How could they miss such an obvious teaching?
It would help if we were Jews living in Palestine about 2000 years ago. The Jews were anticipating Messiah's arrival. They wanted a deliverer. Rome was oppressive and they had not known true freedom for generations. They saw the promises in Isaiah 9:7, a descendant of David whose kingdom would never end, or perhaps Psalm 110:1 where He would sit at God's right hand with His enemies at His feet. But few would have thought of Psalm 22 or Isaiah 53 as their idea of a coming redeemer and deliverer. So it should not be a surprise when Yeshua begins healing, preaching good news to the poor and setting the demonic captives free (Isaiah 61:1) that the disciples and the crowds saw Him as the coming Messiah. With this in mind the message of death and resurrection would have sailed over their heads. They already knew that Messiah was to deliver them and establish His kingdom so they didn't understand this teaching that was in full opposition to what they had held as the promise for so many years.
I heard a message last week on the Last Supper. The speaker said he could not believe how stupid the disciples were as they ate with Jesus. How much clearer could you get concerning Judas and his betrayal. "The one who dips in the bowl and I give him the bread will betray me. Then Judas leaves as Jesus says , "It is you, what you do go and do quickly." The rest of the group is still clueless and think Judas is doing a convenience store run or giving money to the poor. How could they be so dense? The application was that people are still just as dense today and they, like Peter, just cannot see the obvious.
Let's review a few facts that might help explain things. First, as I already stated, no one was thinking death and resurrection. Everyone was thinking Kingdom, as in, "Is now the time you will restore the Kingdom?" Second, they are just a few days from the entry into Jerusalem. Remember those shouts of, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", and "Hosanna to the Son of David". It is true that Messiah spoke of his death just before they got to Jerusalem but doesn't this change things? Hey the whole city is behind us. Third, no one suspected Judas. He had never ever given any indication that he was not on board. That is why they each wonder if they are the one who will betray (See Mark 14 or one of the other Gospel accounts for the details). Fourth, It is Peter who asks John to ask Jesus who is the guilty party. Jesus tells them but it is not an announcement to the whole group. Fifth, betray can be to turn over but it also carries the idea of verbal betrayal not necessarily physical betrayal. It can be more like denial. The disciples had seen this before in John 6:66-67. Many disciples deserted Messiah and He asks if the twelve will desert as well. Sixth, Jesus had just washed Judas' feet, as He had the rest. so why would they suspect him of any treachery? Finally, Yeshua, Jesus never says "Tonight he shall betray me". He only says betrayal is coming. How would they know when? Why would they think it would be this night? This is Passover night. This is just before the feast of unleavened bread. This is just after the Triumphal Entry. This is a time of celebration with the masses on Jesus' side. Those opposing Jesus would be fools to come after Him at a time like this. If there is going to be an attempt on the Master's life it will be when the crowds are not there to defend him . Yet, it is obvious that Judas has left. Where did Judas go? He must have gone to get food or to bless the poor on this Passover night. After all he did have charge of the finances.
In spite of the teaching and warnings of Messiah it is really not a surprise that the disciples missed the message concerning His impending death. If we are true to the text we should be neither surprised or critical of their lack of understanding. I dare say we would had been just as "stupid" and "dense" if we had been at the table. Maybe we need to cut Peter and the rest a little slack. Maybe some of preachers and teachers owe Peter an apology? Check the text. There is no "tonight" when the Lord speaks of betrayal. So how could they know when betrayal is coming? How would they have known it was Judas? They didn't even know if they themselves were the betrayer. I think it is time to be a bit more forgiving of the twelve. If I am honest with myself I am probably at least as dense and slow witted as any of them. How about you?
I heard a message last week on the Last Supper. The speaker said he could not believe how stupid the disciples were as they ate with Jesus. How much clearer could you get concerning Judas and his betrayal. "The one who dips in the bowl and I give him the bread will betray me. Then Judas leaves as Jesus says , "It is you, what you do go and do quickly." The rest of the group is still clueless and think Judas is doing a convenience store run or giving money to the poor. How could they be so dense? The application was that people are still just as dense today and they, like Peter, just cannot see the obvious.
Let's review a few facts that might help explain things. First, as I already stated, no one was thinking death and resurrection. Everyone was thinking Kingdom, as in, "Is now the time you will restore the Kingdom?" Second, they are just a few days from the entry into Jerusalem. Remember those shouts of, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord", and "Hosanna to the Son of David". It is true that Messiah spoke of his death just before they got to Jerusalem but doesn't this change things? Hey the whole city is behind us. Third, no one suspected Judas. He had never ever given any indication that he was not on board. That is why they each wonder if they are the one who will betray (See Mark 14 or one of the other Gospel accounts for the details). Fourth, It is Peter who asks John to ask Jesus who is the guilty party. Jesus tells them but it is not an announcement to the whole group. Fifth, betray can be to turn over but it also carries the idea of verbal betrayal not necessarily physical betrayal. It can be more like denial. The disciples had seen this before in John 6:66-67. Many disciples deserted Messiah and He asks if the twelve will desert as well. Sixth, Jesus had just washed Judas' feet, as He had the rest. so why would they suspect him of any treachery? Finally, Yeshua, Jesus never says "Tonight he shall betray me". He only says betrayal is coming. How would they know when? Why would they think it would be this night? This is Passover night. This is just before the feast of unleavened bread. This is just after the Triumphal Entry. This is a time of celebration with the masses on Jesus' side. Those opposing Jesus would be fools to come after Him at a time like this. If there is going to be an attempt on the Master's life it will be when the crowds are not there to defend him . Yet, it is obvious that Judas has left. Where did Judas go? He must have gone to get food or to bless the poor on this Passover night. After all he did have charge of the finances.
In spite of the teaching and warnings of Messiah it is really not a surprise that the disciples missed the message concerning His impending death. If we are true to the text we should be neither surprised or critical of their lack of understanding. I dare say we would had been just as "stupid" and "dense" if we had been at the table. Maybe we need to cut Peter and the rest a little slack. Maybe some of preachers and teachers owe Peter an apology? Check the text. There is no "tonight" when the Lord speaks of betrayal. So how could they know when betrayal is coming? How would they have known it was Judas? They didn't even know if they themselves were the betrayer. I think it is time to be a bit more forgiving of the twelve. If I am honest with myself I am probably at least as dense and slow witted as any of them. How about you?
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