And it was night.

"After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night." John 13:21-30

They had finished their meal. There had been little conversation until this point and the food and drink was gone, with only a little bread left on the table. It had been an odd gathering, the least of which was Jesus’ unusual quietness and his demeanor that radiated unease. Not only that but then he- their teacher, their leader, their Lord and master had wrapped a towel around his waste, kneeled down, and washed their feet. These feet that had walked with him from town to town, feet that had even walked on water. They had carried the disciples on this journey with him, brought them to this place…this meal…and here they were, being washed, loved, served…


It had grown late. Outside the darkness of night had fallen- yet Jesus remained at the table with them, still troubled and agitated. He had already told them things- odd things. Things that were going to happen to them. Things, he said, that they wouldn’t understand but that they needed to know.
Jesus knew what the night would bring. And he could not bring himself to hide the truth. Though he knew the words would not make sense until after it was finished, and perhaps he knew they might never truly understand. Yet, he is compelled by his own unease and troubled spirit to tell them. Betrayal is coming. He even tells them who- yet, their eyes and ears cannot see or hear. He takes the bread and offers it to him.
To Judas. One who’s feet had walked and were washed. Who’s eyes had witnessed the lame walk and the blind see. Eyes that saw the bent walk upright. Judas- who had seen the crowds fed. Who had heard Jesus say- “I am the Bread of life” and promise streams of living water to all those who were thirsty. He is one who had seen and yet did not believe. Judas- who had demeaned and disregarded the worship and love Mary offered at Jesus’ feet. And now he was driven to falsehood, to denial, to betrayal- driven out into the night, away from this room of fellowship. He exchanged the one who is the Light of the world for the mere glow of 30 pieces of silver. So, he leaves. And it was night.
Night swallows and hides. Night has always been and always will be- but not only night that ends the day, but the night that we know has enveloped the world from the start. It is the night of misunderstanding, of isolation, and separation. Separated from light, this night was the darkness of the world to which the Word of God came, took on flesh, and moved into the neighborhood. Jesus came to bring life, and that life was the light for all people. And the light of this life shined in the darkness- and the darkness did not overcome it.
After receiving the bread, Judas immediately went out. And it was night. A night that separates. But also a night like all others- that ends.
This Holy Week we do not shy away from this night- from its darkness. For Judas, the darkness of night offered cover for his betrayal, but confirmed his separation and drove him away to another, lesser,  light. He went into the darkness alone. But we do not. We sit in the darkness, knowing that there is light, true light- the light that shines and is not overcome, the light that transforms the darkness into a medium of hope rather than fear. We sit in it in faithfulness to see what the night will bring. Watching. And waiting.