“While he was still speaking, Judas, one of
the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large
crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders
of the people. Now the betrayer had
arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I
kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at
once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Friend, do what you came
for.’ Then the men stepped forward,
seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Matthew 26:47-50)
Jesus was betrayed by a friend. Judas had lived with Jesus for three
years. He had heard Jesus teach. He had seen Jesus work miracles. He had looked into Jesus’ heart. He’d felt the pain of Jesus when people
turned away from Him. He’d shared the
joy of Jesus when people responded to Him.
How could he now betray Him?
Things weren’t going the way Judas had hoped
they would. They were not going the way
he had planned for. Was he in it all
along because he thought he had hitched his wagon to a star? Was he following Jesus only for what he
thought he could get out of it on earth?
That’s certainly possible. Most
Jews did think the Messiah would put Rome in its place and return Israel to
prominence. Judas may have followed
Jesus all along because he wanted to be somebody in the new kingdom.
Some think that the betrayal was Judas’
misguided attempt to force the hand of Jesus.
When the opposition came after Jesus, some think that Judas expected
Jesus to exercise His power and take the throne that Judas thought He had
planned to take all along.
Or perhaps his heart had changed along the
way. Seeing Jesus rejected by the
crowds. Watching the leaders of Israel
and their opposition to Jesus. Perhaps
these things were too much for Judas. Or
was it the offer of money? Was the 30
pieces of silver just too much of a temptation?
Whichever scenario is correct -- whatever was
going through Judas’ mind -- the betrayal must have hurt Jesus deeply. Of course, He knew Judas would betray Him,
you can see that at the Last Supper. But
that probably didn’t minimize the hurt.
He was betrayed by a friend!
He endured that for you!!! It was just the beginning of the deep agony
He would go through on your behalf -- and mine.
His, by Grace,
Steve
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