Good Morning Friends,
“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. 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.’ 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 and seen Him 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 betray Him?
Things weren’t going the way Judas had hoped or
planned. 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 thought the Messiah would put
Rome in its place and return Israel to prominence. Judas may have followed
Jesus 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. Some think that Judas expected that
the soldiers would force Jesus to exercise His power and take the throne.
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?
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 didn’t minimize the hurt. He was
betrayed by a friend!
That 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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