Holy Week—Wednesday

Judas agrees to betray Jesus

How wretched am I!  I know I could have committed this horrible act.  I get ideas in my head about how things should go, and when plans don’t work out…  I think something has gone wrong—and often wonder who is to blame. 

I can imagine this is what Judas did.  My interpretation probably more from an influence of “Jesus Christ Superstar” than from the Holy Bible.  Either way, it serves as a humbling reminder for me.  (The Bible does say that Judas was pilfering from the groups’ money, so maybe he was driven by base greed.  That breaks my heart to even write it.)

What pride we have, to think that Jesus failing to follow our plans would make Him wrong.  But that is exactly what we do when we throw our little tantrums about change and the unexpected.  Judas knew who Jesus was—the Messiah.  Judas had been alongside Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, hearing His teachings, watching Him work miracles.  Judas’ problem came because he also had a script he expected Jesus to follow in order to be a proper savior.  Jesus didn’t really come to obey Judas and so Judas became disenchanted and impatient. 

Oh, Lord!  Save me from myself and my own plans.  Step out of the box I continually use to contain you—even as it exasperates me.  Don’t give up on me.  Lift me up, shake off the dust and set me in Your direction.  Amen!

 

Matthew 26:14-16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:10-11

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.  They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Luke 22:3-6

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them.  They were glad and agreed to give him money.  So he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the crowd.