The Passover Supper was ready. The two disciples who were sent ahead of the group had completed their preparations (Mark 14:13-16) and Jesus came in with the other ten men.  The tradition of reclining on mats around a low table led to informality and relaxation, despite the formal rehearsal of the usual words recalling the first Passover.

It was probably all a bit unreal to the disciples.  They would have participated in the Passover meal each year since childhood, but there was a sense of something different that year.  Previously, Jesus had predicted that He would be rejected by the religious leaders, killed and yet rise from the dead on the third day: He said that on three occasions (Matthew 16:21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19).  It was a triple affirmation of the truth which would shortly come.  The disciples knew it would happen in Jerusalem (Mark 10:33), but even the Chief Priests did not want Jesus to be arrested at the feast for fear of a riot (Mark 14:2).  But God knew (Acts 2:23), and Jesus was about to tell the disciples that they would also be implicated in His death.

The atmosphere was shattered when Jesus said that one of the twelve would betray Him.  Their shaken-ness was understandable.  They had all spent the past two and a half years with Him.  Usually, most of every day was spent in His company.  Yes, they had their difficult moments and disagreements, but surely they were all 'on side'.  They had no clue that the traitor in their midst was the trusted treasurer (John 13:29).  But Jesus' statement left them grieved in their hearts.  Each knew something of their own tendency to go astray or to question or even to criticise Jesus.  Each felt that Jesus was pointing at them.  Such is the power of the finger of God to stir a guilty conscience (Daniel 5:5, 25-28).

Like us, each of them had the potential to deny or be disloyal to Jesus.  As we shall see, not only did Judas betray Jesus for money (Mark 14:10-11), but Peter betrayed Him out of cowardice (Mark 14:66-72) and all the others deserted Him in fear (Mark 14:50).  Jesus was putting His Word ahead of their actions, so that they might all know that He died for them too: and all who repented were restored.  Except Judas Iscariot who did not repent.   If we had been there, would we have had any less of a conscience - knowing that Jesus had seen right through us.  Indeed, the desire to get rid of the voice of God, and to do what suits us better, is the essential mark of sin that is on each person.  And it was for that sin that Jesus was to die, the just for the unjust so that He might bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).  If your conscience is being stirred by the Lord and you know that He sees your guilt – run to Him in repentance, even though You have betrayed Him … for He will forgive those who confess their sin (1 John 1:9).  Do not delay.