Reflect: Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? In verse 21, Jesus expresses His feeling of being betrayed as, “troubled in spirit.” The word in Greek for troubled is “etarachthē”. This can be translated as troubled and also as causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside (upset). Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him; but the time was at hand and He was grieved, stirred up inside, emotionally agitated, upset by the betrayal of a friend. Much like the emotions we feel when betrayed by someone. Maybe someone has betrayed you or hurt you in some way. You probably felt or still feel like Jesus did when He was betrayed by Judas. The difference is that Jesus was perfect, so knew how to process the pain, but not let it turn into bitterness. At times, when we are hurt, we don’t process it appropriately and hold on to the pain. If we continue to hold on to the resulting hurt or pain for too long, it will turn into bitter roots and bitter roots will grow bitter fruit. The person you are hurting most, if you hold on to the hurt, is yourself.
