It’s clear that the early Christian community was shaken to the core by what Judas did. It’s one thing to deal with opposition from without - the religious and political authorities of the day. It’s another thing to see that the hour of darkness is precipitated by one of their own, a man in whom the Master had confided the mysteries of the kingdom. Nothing is quite so damaging to the trust upon which all human communities must rely.

Thus the drama enacted around the table. “One of you is about to betray me.” Jesus says. One after the other, each of the twelve responds, “Surely it is not I, Lord.” Everything depends on the tone of that response. How do they speak these words? Are they men full of indignation that such a thing could happen in their ranks and exonerating themselves in the process? “SURELY, it is not I, Lord!” Far be it from me to do such a thing! Or do they speak the words more haltingly, perhaps with trembling in their voices, “Surely, it is not I, Lord??” Instead of keeping the possibility of betraying Jesus at arm’s length (how scandalous!), they speak as men chastened by their own weakness and not presuming on their strength.