This is the last of this series of “not enough.” We’ve seen that being fed is not enough, witnessing the spectacular is not enough, and even enthusiastic worship is not enough when it comes to the difference between knowing about Jesus and really knowing Jesus in a committed relationship not unlike marriage. So here’s the last one:

Hanging around in the inner circle is not enough.

Really? Where do you get that? Very simple. As we enter some meditations on Holy Week (a bit early, I know), read the texts on the last supper: Jesus initiation of the ceremony we call Communion or Eucharist or The Lord’s Supper. Judas was still there!

Tomorrow I’ll write more about the foot washing event from John 13, where Judas is explicitly pointed out as present. He was also there during the meal:

Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. (John 13.24 – 26, NIV)

Judas was not only there for the last supper, but he had also been there for years with the other disciples. There were times when “… many of his [wider circle of]disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (John 6.66, NIV) But not the twelve, including Judas:

“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) (John 6.67 – 71, NIV)

Some people are active in their church. Very active. Members of boards. Singing in the choir. Faithful attenders. But, like Judas, they never really commit themselves to Jesus. These people, like many churches, treat discipleship as optional. As I wrote a few days ago:

Making discipleship an optional add-on is as silly as the bride and groom going back to their separate homes after the wedding ceremony. 

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity… (Hebrews 6.1, ESV)

We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ… (Ephesians 4.15, ESV)

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1.5 – 8, ESV)