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.”

Mark 14:18

Words have power. You might be familiar with the rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” What a bunch of baloney! Injuries from sticks and stones will usually heal with minimal residual damage, but the power and pain caused by words can be injuries we carry throughout our lives.

As we have been reading and hearing accounts of the happenings leading up to this week, we’ve heard some powerful words of hurt and harm. In the 14th chapter of Mark alone, we have heard these words: arrest, kill, betray (twice), strike, deny, distressed, troubled, sorrowful, betrayed, betrayer, seized, deserving death, spit, strike, blows, and wept. Many of these words reference physical pain, but “betrayed” words evoke emotional pain.

Singer/Songwriter Michael Card penned:

Only a friend can betray a friend;
A stranger has nothing to gain.
And only a friend comes close enough
To ever cause so much pain.

Maybe this has happened to you; a trusted person in your life betrayed you, or maybe you were the betrayer causing the pain. These powerful and painful words can strike (no pun intended) pretty close to home.

Take heart! The One who was the Lamb of God allowed Himself to be betrayed, beaten and hung on a cross to pay the cost we could not pay. Because of this, we can now know the joy of wonderful words like these: risen, alive, peace, grace, forgiven, chosen, be-loved, joy, and transformed.

Prayer

Dearest Jesus, thank You for Your words of Life. Fill my mouth with words that bring praise and honor to Your Holy Name.

Daily Reading: Mark 14:12-26

– Contributed by Marilyn Haldiman