The story of the last meal of Jesus and his disciples provides a important spiritual lesson to those of us inclined to self-assurance and self-confidence. During the meal, Jesus says to the disciples that one of them will betray him.

18And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” (Mark 14:18–19, ESV)

We may not notice it at first reading, but it’s interesting to me that there are two responses described in verse 19. First, they were sorrowful, which would indicate they thought it could be one of them. Secondly, each one had to ask if it was him. You would think that at least eleven of them would know whether they were planning to betray Jesus. Similarly, you would also think each one didn’t need to ask if he were the one.

It may be counter-intuitive, but their responses were actually commendable. While they must have known that they didn’t have plans to betray Jesus, they were self-aware enough to know they were flawed people who were susceptible to sin. They were less likely to make a mistake when they were honest with themselves about their weaknesses.

In contrast, consider another moment that occurs shortly after the meal. Jesus is with the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane and tells them that they are all going to abandon him. This time they jettisoned their self-awareness in exchange for self-confidence. Here’s the conclusion to the conversation…

34Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:34–35, ESV)

Their self-assurance was a mistake. Every single one of them abandoned Jesus. Peter had the sad distinction of abandoning Jesus after denying knowing him three times. Peter left with more despair than the others.

If those closest to Jesus could become too self-assured and self-confident in their spiritual fortitude, it should warn us against doing the same. The safest way to follow Jesus is with an assurance not in our strength, but a confidence that the temptations of this world are too strong to think we are safe. Our spiritual safety and strength come from a deep self-awareness of our weakness and our dependency on Jesus. We are most vulnerable to spiritual failure when we are most confident in ourselves.

Rev. James Harper ‘The Last Supper’ Lent Devotional 2026