Betrayal – April 8, 2023

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Matthew 26:20-25

Betrayal

Sometimes the church symbol employed for Judas is an empty frame depicting the thought that he shouldn’t be remembered because of the despicable crime he perpetrated against our Lord Jesus—betraying Christ into the hands of his enemies. Yet, looking at Judas, we ask ourselves: How do we betray Jesus?

Even after he has assured us that our sins are forgiven we keep discovering new ways to get around God’s will, and we keep coming up with excuses for not conforming our lives to the commands of God. What else could we be called but traitors?

Yet, in Jesus, that’s not the way God sees us. Jesus’ death on the cross wipes away our treachery. God keeps assuring us in his Word that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Through Jesus, God draws us to himself and embraces us as his dear children “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, what a great privilege it is for me to be called your child by faith in Jesus! Lead my life to praise you for your great love, and help me to fulfill your will in thankful obedience for the blessings that come freely and fully from you. Amen.