Appoint a wicked man against him. Let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him come forth guilty. Let his prayer be counted as sin! May his days be few and may another take his office. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow! May his children wander about and beg, seeking food from the ruins they inhabit! May the creditor seize all that he has. May strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!...May his posterity be cut off. May his name be blotted out in the second generation! May the sins of his fathers be remembered before the Lord and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out! Let them be continually before the Lord, that He may cut off the memory of them from the earth! Because he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to put them to death.
(Verses 6-11;13-16)
"The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray Him, asked, "Is it I, Lord?" He said to him, "You have said so." Matthew 26
That Passover evening only Jesus knew it was the last time He'd be with the disciples in quite this way. He'd be dead in the next few hours, crucified and desolate. Betrayed by one of the men He'd loved and prayed with. His work would be finished. The ultimate Passover Lamb sacrificed for these fishermen and tax collectors, for the sons of thunder, and doubting Thomas. Jesus knew each man intimately. The sound of their voices. The smell of their sweat. Their wives and children. Their hopes and dreams. And after this night, nothing would ever be the same between them. His time on earth completed. They would all be different tomorrow. So this night was the Master's farewell.
Jesus got up from the Passover dinner and took off His coat. He took the towel, placed by the washbowl, and tied it around His waist. The disciples, busy with dinner chatter, didn't really notice Jesus until He poured water into the basin and carried it over to them. The sight of Him silenced the group. What in the world is He doing? Jesus knelt then. Took the foot of Thomas, maybe, as it lay stretched out in front of him while he reclined to eat on the floor. One by one, Jesus dipped the feet of the disciples into the clean water then wiped them with the towel that hung from His waist. When Jesus finished the foot washing, He sat back and said to them, "Not all of you are clean." He didn't look at Judas. But Judas knew. He'd known for quite some time. Money was his god. He'd been stealing from the offerings given to the twelve. Thought ministry was for gain. Believed Jesus was going to be some big ruler and he'd be in on the ground floor. But things hadn't worked out that way. So when the Jewish leaders offered a bounty to the one who brought Jesus in, Judas negotiated for thirty pieces of silver. After all, he'd given up his job to follow the man. And for what? Everyone following Him blindly. They'd become hunted along with Jesus. Judas wasn't about to lose his head because He followed some Nazarene Who promised a kingdom that was never going to manifest. He was done with it.
"One of you is going to betray Me." Jesus looked around the table at all of them. It was on His heart. It had to have been. How could they see what they'd seen--the blind eyes opened, the deaf able to hear, the brokenhearted salved, the demon-possessed freed, the hungry fed, the seas calmed and the dead raised--and still not know? Still not love Him? Jesus human, with a heart like ours. Surely He mourned the traitor. "I will dip the bread into wine and give the man a bite." And the eyes of Jesus turned in pain to the steady gaze of Judas. "Go do what you have to do," Jesus whispered. And His betrayer crept into the night.
The others didn't understand. Jesus frequently sent Judas out to purchase necessities for the group. Thought that's where he was going. But with every footfall, Judas was closer to the riches that already burned a whole in his moneybag. Obsessed with what he'd spend it on. Tired of walking all over the countryside living like a beggar. Assured in his heart that Jesus wasn't ever going to be king of anything. Agreeing with the accusations that had started early on in his head. The enemy of his soul prepping the son of Simon Iscariot to believe a lie about the Son of God, to plant so deeply within him a sense of his own entitlement that Judas was willing to kill the One Who loved him. Satan found a patsy in the group. Laughed as the pitiful thing panted for his prize as he ran down the streets of Jerusalem on Passover night. A pawn in the plan to destroy God's Son. Better had he never been born.
Judas assembled some men from the temple guard. Gave them instructions. "The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard. Are we clear on this?" And they went across the Kidron Brook.
The Garden of Gethsemane was a favorite place for Jesus. He and the twelve often went there to talk and pray. Judas knew He'd be there. It suddenly flooded with light as soldiers carrying weapons accompanied the officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees. Jesus was sweating with the anguish of His prayers while the disciples lay sleeping nearby. Awakened by the noise, confused by the troops, the men rose quickly to their feet and were perplexed to see Judas standing there. Everything stopped. Seemed like time itself stood still. Before they could gather their thoughts, Jesus stepped out of the darkness. Judas came toward Jesus. The torch light followed him, lighting his face, revealing a half-smile, not sinister. Playing his part coolly. Having to look into the eyes of Jesus should have made betrayal more difficult, but the heart of Judas was hardened to his cause. The voice of the enemy loud in his ears. The jangle of money hot in his pocket. "Rabbi!" Judas exclaimed as if meeting a beloved friend. As he approached Jesus, ready to embrace Him, Jesus said with a hint of wonder in His voice, "Would you betray Me with a kiss, Judas?" Cynical. Deceived. No answer but his lips on the cheek of Jesus
"Friend, do what you came to do," Jesus whispered into the traitor's ear. And Judas melted into the chaos that ensued. Ran away into the darkness with coins jingling the rhythm of his retreat against his aching thigh. It wasn't until the next morning when Jesus was condemned to death that Judas understood the consequences of his devilish plan. What did he think would happen? Was he so blinded by the purse that he couldn't see beyond it? Hunkering back in the crowd the next morning, Judas was there when Jesus was brought out by the chief priests bound and headed to Pilate for a declaration of his guilt and a sentence of death. Satan left him then. Allowed him to bear the ramifications of his own guilt. No blinders. Just sneering demons and the stench of hell. And Judas came to himself. Realized what he'd done. Flooded with memories of meals together, parables on the hillside, slaps on the back, fish overflowing nets, wine at weddings and the question from the night before, "Would you betray me with a kiss?"
He hung himself then. Tried to give the money back. The priests wouldn't take it. Blood money. Too righteous to take back the money they'd given in their hatred. Bought a cemetery for strangers. Judas sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. Betrayed the God of the Universe. But here is what I know. He could've been forgiven. Had he not gone so far past repentance. Had he really understood Who he betrayed. Because Peter was also standing there in the same courtyard when the priests brought Jesus handcuffed out into the early ember-scented morning. Saw the sorrow in His eyes. Understood the depth of his betrayal. Both men not worth keeping as friends. Miserably self-centered. Disappointing and weak. And Jesus knew they were flesh. Knew the enemy is a liar. Knew the cross would change all that. Went on into Pilate's quarters when He could've called ten thousand legions of angels to rescue Him. Understood when He looked into the eyes of the two men He'd chosen to be His closest friends that unless He paid for the sins of the night, they'd forever be locked in the chains of the enemy.
We are doomed as the enemy of the psalmist must be. It is the right judgment on us. Sinners by nature. Selfish to the core. The risen Lord set things right for Judas and for us. Made a way for Peter to live the life he couldn't live. So that there is no sin too great for His blood to wash away. No pit too deep for Him to rescue us from. No lie too entrenched for Him to undo. When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might die. But God shows His great love for us this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we've been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death (Romans 5).
There is nothing His blood cannot cleanse. Nothing. It is holy, sacrificial Lamb's blood. It purchases forgiveness for everything or nothing, for it's priceless. If you think you've gone too far, you're eons out of His reach, you've listened too long to the tapes recorded in your mind, produced and directed by the enemy of your soul, turn back. Run to Him as Peter did. Jesus wouldn't have given up on Judas. The final lie he believed doomed him to death just hours before the Truth was to set Him free.
(Verses 6-11;13-16)
"The Son of Man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who would betray Him, asked, "Is it I, Lord?" He said to him, "You have said so." Matthew 26
That Passover evening only Jesus knew it was the last time He'd be with the disciples in quite this way. He'd be dead in the next few hours, crucified and desolate. Betrayed by one of the men He'd loved and prayed with. His work would be finished. The ultimate Passover Lamb sacrificed for these fishermen and tax collectors, for the sons of thunder, and doubting Thomas. Jesus knew each man intimately. The sound of their voices. The smell of their sweat. Their wives and children. Their hopes and dreams. And after this night, nothing would ever be the same between them. His time on earth completed. They would all be different tomorrow. So this night was the Master's farewell.
Jesus got up from the Passover dinner and took off His coat. He took the towel, placed by the washbowl, and tied it around His waist. The disciples, busy with dinner chatter, didn't really notice Jesus until He poured water into the basin and carried it over to them. The sight of Him silenced the group. What in the world is He doing? Jesus knelt then. Took the foot of Thomas, maybe, as it lay stretched out in front of him while he reclined to eat on the floor. One by one, Jesus dipped the feet of the disciples into the clean water then wiped them with the towel that hung from His waist. When Jesus finished the foot washing, He sat back and said to them, "Not all of you are clean." He didn't look at Judas. But Judas knew. He'd known for quite some time. Money was his god. He'd been stealing from the offerings given to the twelve. Thought ministry was for gain. Believed Jesus was going to be some big ruler and he'd be in on the ground floor. But things hadn't worked out that way. So when the Jewish leaders offered a bounty to the one who brought Jesus in, Judas negotiated for thirty pieces of silver. After all, he'd given up his job to follow the man. And for what? Everyone following Him blindly. They'd become hunted along with Jesus. Judas wasn't about to lose his head because He followed some Nazarene Who promised a kingdom that was never going to manifest. He was done with it.
"One of you is going to betray Me." Jesus looked around the table at all of them. It was on His heart. It had to have been. How could they see what they'd seen--the blind eyes opened, the deaf able to hear, the brokenhearted salved, the demon-possessed freed, the hungry fed, the seas calmed and the dead raised--and still not know? Still not love Him? Jesus human, with a heart like ours. Surely He mourned the traitor. "I will dip the bread into wine and give the man a bite." And the eyes of Jesus turned in pain to the steady gaze of Judas. "Go do what you have to do," Jesus whispered. And His betrayer crept into the night.
The others didn't understand. Jesus frequently sent Judas out to purchase necessities for the group. Thought that's where he was going. But with every footfall, Judas was closer to the riches that already burned a whole in his moneybag. Obsessed with what he'd spend it on. Tired of walking all over the countryside living like a beggar. Assured in his heart that Jesus wasn't ever going to be king of anything. Agreeing with the accusations that had started early on in his head. The enemy of his soul prepping the son of Simon Iscariot to believe a lie about the Son of God, to plant so deeply within him a sense of his own entitlement that Judas was willing to kill the One Who loved him. Satan found a patsy in the group. Laughed as the pitiful thing panted for his prize as he ran down the streets of Jerusalem on Passover night. A pawn in the plan to destroy God's Son. Better had he never been born.
Judas assembled some men from the temple guard. Gave them instructions. "The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard. Are we clear on this?" And they went across the Kidron Brook.
The Garden of Gethsemane was a favorite place for Jesus. He and the twelve often went there to talk and pray. Judas knew He'd be there. It suddenly flooded with light as soldiers carrying weapons accompanied the officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees. Jesus was sweating with the anguish of His prayers while the disciples lay sleeping nearby. Awakened by the noise, confused by the troops, the men rose quickly to their feet and were perplexed to see Judas standing there. Everything stopped. Seemed like time itself stood still. Before they could gather their thoughts, Jesus stepped out of the darkness. Judas came toward Jesus. The torch light followed him, lighting his face, revealing a half-smile, not sinister. Playing his part coolly. Having to look into the eyes of Jesus should have made betrayal more difficult, but the heart of Judas was hardened to his cause. The voice of the enemy loud in his ears. The jangle of money hot in his pocket. "Rabbi!" Judas exclaimed as if meeting a beloved friend. As he approached Jesus, ready to embrace Him, Jesus said with a hint of wonder in His voice, "Would you betray Me with a kiss, Judas?" Cynical. Deceived. No answer but his lips on the cheek of Jesus
"Friend, do what you came to do," Jesus whispered into the traitor's ear. And Judas melted into the chaos that ensued. Ran away into the darkness with coins jingling the rhythm of his retreat against his aching thigh. It wasn't until the next morning when Jesus was condemned to death that Judas understood the consequences of his devilish plan. What did he think would happen? Was he so blinded by the purse that he couldn't see beyond it? Hunkering back in the crowd the next morning, Judas was there when Jesus was brought out by the chief priests bound and headed to Pilate for a declaration of his guilt and a sentence of death. Satan left him then. Allowed him to bear the ramifications of his own guilt. No blinders. Just sneering demons and the stench of hell. And Judas came to himself. Realized what he'd done. Flooded with memories of meals together, parables on the hillside, slaps on the back, fish overflowing nets, wine at weddings and the question from the night before, "Would you betray me with a kiss?"
He hung himself then. Tried to give the money back. The priests wouldn't take it. Blood money. Too righteous to take back the money they'd given in their hatred. Bought a cemetery for strangers. Judas sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver. Betrayed the God of the Universe. But here is what I know. He could've been forgiven. Had he not gone so far past repentance. Had he really understood Who he betrayed. Because Peter was also standing there in the same courtyard when the priests brought Jesus handcuffed out into the early ember-scented morning. Saw the sorrow in His eyes. Understood the depth of his betrayal. Both men not worth keeping as friends. Miserably self-centered. Disappointing and weak. And Jesus knew they were flesh. Knew the enemy is a liar. Knew the cross would change all that. Went on into Pilate's quarters when He could've called ten thousand legions of angels to rescue Him. Understood when He looked into the eyes of the two men He'd chosen to be His closest friends that unless He paid for the sins of the night, they'd forever be locked in the chains of the enemy.
We are doomed as the enemy of the psalmist must be. It is the right judgment on us. Sinners by nature. Selfish to the core. The risen Lord set things right for Judas and for us. Made a way for Peter to live the life he couldn't live. So that there is no sin too great for His blood to wash away. No pit too deep for Him to rescue us from. No lie too entrenched for Him to undo. When we were unable to help ourselves, at the moment of our need, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might die. But God shows His great love for us this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners. So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we've been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death (Romans 5).
There is nothing His blood cannot cleanse. Nothing. It is holy, sacrificial Lamb's blood. It purchases forgiveness for everything or nothing, for it's priceless. If you think you've gone too far, you're eons out of His reach, you've listened too long to the tapes recorded in your mind, produced and directed by the enemy of your soul, turn back. Run to Him as Peter did. Jesus wouldn't have given up on Judas. The final lie he believed doomed him to death just hours before the Truth was to set Him free.
No comments:
Post a Comment