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"Nope, Not I!"


But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed. But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.
          A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. (Luke 22: 21-25)

          Oh, there are so many thoughts going through my mind on this one. First, let’s deal with the circumstances. Sometimes when we read Scripture, we get the impression that things just happen out of the blue. In this passage, Jesus announces that someone is going to betray Him. Then, suddenly – oh my goodness! – the disciples start quarreling about which of them is the greatest. Talk about major disconnections. Except, there is no disconnection. Put yourselves in the disciples’ sandals. You’re eating dinner with Jesus, and He announces that someone at the table with Him is going to betray Him. What’s the first thing that pops into your mind?
          “Nope! Not I!”
          Perhaps you’re not like me. My second thought is, “But if not I, then who?” As I scan the room, looking for the guilty face, instead, I see questioning faces asking the same question. I want to scream, “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice!” but the justifications roll through my mind. It can’t be me, I’m one of the good ones. The quarrel about who is the greatest makes perfect sense. 
          Jesus points out to them that the leaders of the Gentiles (the world) lord it over the people. They try to control people and then claim to be benefactors. They’re “do-gooders” over the people. Seems to me I’ve heard this from my lips – “It’s for _____’s own good.” Seems to me I’ve heard the same from a lot of other people. Jesus goes on to say that this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be among Christians.

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