Peter’s Query

Today’s Gospel Text: Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about this man?" 22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" 23 The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:20-25

Reflection: Hehehe this could be a joke! After the betrayal and after Christ having risen from the dead and now that he is in the midst of them, Peter is asking Jesus: “"Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?"

Can the resurrected Jesus have a betrayer to destroy him again in his glorified body or was Peter referring to a betrayer in the faith?

Why did Peter make such a statement when it seems to us that the whole world knew the reason and person  behind Jesus' betrayal?

There could be many possible theories:

1) He could have been just at his usual spontaneous best when he was caught in a spot just as it happened at Mount Tabor.

2) The credit goes to Jesus who kept the whole of Judas’ betrayal act a top secret without even giving them an iota of doubt to suspect Judas. 

3) Added to Jesus gentlemanly act was also another fact; things moved on so fast and with shocking swiftness that even the disciples had no time to find out, and add to it, was the disciples timidity wherein which they even ran away from the scene.

4) The statement by Peter shows one thing clearly, he did love Jesus more than these others and even though he failed Jesus more than the other others by his simple act of denial. Hence the persistence in still seeking to find the betrayer. 

5) If it was a necessary piece of information then Jesus would have revealed Judas name at the first instance.

Our salvation is not in identifying the betrayer but in recognizing the savior who alone can save because he has given his life for us.

If we come to know the betrayer then it is bonus point, but if we are able to go beyond the betrayer and are able to identify the worker and instigator of everything evil then we seek a safer Rock to hold on to: Jesus Christ, our savior and deliverer.

Prayer:  Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. Ps 34:5

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