READ: Mark 14:17-25
17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”

20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24 “This is my blood of the [new] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. 25 “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 26:47-50
47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50 Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

REFLECT:
When is it time to say goodbye to a friend? There seems to be a growing notion in our society that says if something is perceived as negative, harmful, or toxic we should cut it out of our lives. The root of this aligns with a Biblical worldview; we’ve been given the gift of life and should steward it as responsibly as we know how. Yet, what happens when this idea extends to people?

Society would tell us that if a friend has hurt us, we should leave them in the rearview mirror. But what if the thing that person needs most is actually grace from someone who loves them in spite of their actions? Let me acknowledge that this is a complex issue and every situation is different-- I am not at all advocating for anyone to stay in an abusive relationship (emotionally or physically) and I understand that loving someone doesn’t always mean remaining their best friend. That said, I think sometimes we remove people from our lives under the justification of self-health when really, if we’re honest, we don’t want to forgive them because we’re scared of getting hurt.

Jesus had a close relationship with the very person who would betray him for 30 pieces of silver. And on the night He was arrested, Jesus looked His betrayer in the eye and called him “friend”. Even though he knew full well what Judas’ intentions and future actions were, He still chose to love Him. In doing so, Jesus displayed a radical, dangerous love that most of us could only dream of replicating. A love that is selfless, casts out fear, and endures forever.

In that same vein, Jesus died on the cross for our sins even though He knew from the beginning that we would betray that love. He said “This is my body, broken for you. This is my blood, the blood of the new covenant.” The world has told us to love when it is safe and benefits us, but Jesus has called us to a different, harder, and ultimately greater love. Love dangerously.

RESPOND:
How do we balance the tension between loving those who have hurt us and not remaining in unhealthy and harmful situations?

To what extent should we go to maintain relationships in our life that have been destructive in the past? Should we even attempt to maintain them?

Ask yourself: Is there anyone in my life that God is calling me to love right now in spite of the harm they’ve caused me?

Self-examination: Is the love I have towards my friends more selfish or selfless? How can I love those around me dangerously?