Day 4 of Holy Week – The Betrayal is Set

Oh, Judas, what was going through your mind?

You were part of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, hand-picked by the Savior, Himself.

Did you not believe that Jesus was the Messiah?

Did you not believe the words that Jesus had spoken?

Did you not see the miracles He performed?

Today is day four of Holy Week. It’s a day of betrayal and, in my opinion, a day that is filled with questions.

Judas Betrays Jesus

We all know about Judas, the Betrayer, forever known as the one who leads the officials to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Forever known for being paid only 30 silver coins. Ironically, in those times, that was the price for a slave.

I cannot tell you how many times I have read the story of the betrayal without noticing this fact:  Judas, one of Jesus’ closest friends and part of His inner circle, sought out the religious leaders.

They didn’t seek Judas out; he went to them, forever associating himself with Jesus’s death on the cross, and placing himself at the very end of the list of disciples.

The motivation behind Judas’s betrayal isn’t stated in the Bible. Perhaps he was fed up with the crowds, or with all the preaching that Jesus did, or he was tired from traveling from town to town.

Whatever his motive was, whatever was going through his mind at the time, one thing is clear; the enemy got a hold on him and didn’t let go.

Jesus Knew All Along

In Zechariah 11:12-13, the prophecy of Judas’ betrayal is foretold:

^“Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver. Then the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the lordly price at which I was priced by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord, to the potter.” ESV

Yes, Jesus could have called Judas out on it. Our Savior could have squished Judas with his thumb if He wanted to, but that wasn’t the plan. It was Judas’s choice (free will!) to turn Jesus over to the soldiers.

And as much as it pains me to write this, this was an essential part of God’s sovereign plan. Jesus was to be betrayed, die a horrific death, rise from the grave, and ascend into Heaven – all for us, so we can have eternal life.

Him for me. Him for you.

I believe that Judas never accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. While he was a disciple, he didn’t have a relationship with Jesus. He was a pretender. He talked the talk but didn’t walk the walk.

In the past, there have been times when I can honestly say that I could be like Judas in this way.

Was I a faithful follower or was I someone that pretended to look like one on the outside?

Thankfully, through the grace of God, I can choose repentance and forgiveness over death and despair.

If you are facing something worldly in your life, it’s not too late to turn to Christ! You also have that choice, my friends!

Unfortunately, it was too late for Judas. After he realized what he had done, he tried to return the money, only to be rejected by the leaders, and instead of seeking forgiveness, Judas hung himself.

Always seek forgiveness first! God loves you, and you are His child!

“Heavenly Father, Thank You for your everlasting love for us. Thank you for your forgiveness and Your Word. While we may wander off, You will always find a way to bring us back. As the scripture says, You will leave the ninety-nine in order to find the one that is lost. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent your One and Only Son to pay the penalty for our sins, for us to have eternal life. May we became the faithful followers that You intended for us to be. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen”