14 Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.
47 While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him.50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”[f]Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50
Questions
What are other words or phrases that describe betrayal?
What are the ingredients that make up betrayal?
What does betrayal feel like?
Are you surprised or not that Jesus was betrayed by a close friend? Why?
Would you think you would ever betray Jesus? Think deep about this!
Meditation
There’s a moment where we start to see the beginnings of betrayal in Jesus’ disciples. There’s a dinner where a woman walks in and, in an act of adoration, pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ head… and everyone loves it and celebrates how beautiful of a moment it was to witness.
Nope.
They all think it’s a huge waste of money and resources! In fact, after that dinner, one of the followers of this Good News Movement has had enough of the compassion malarky and goes to the authorities and asks how much money they’ll give him if he turns over this disappointing Messiah. Thirty pieces of silver it turns out. It doesn’t take much to sell a friend out.
But before we think this is not a story about us, let’s consider this: It’s disheartening when the thing you’re following shows itself to not be the thing you thought you were following. When you have mindset of how things should work out, you will do whatever it takes to get your will accomplished.
You want to win at all costs. Win, your way that is.
“Wait. What? Isn’t life about winning?” We often want our life to be our way even if that means betraying what He wants.
I’m amazed how quick I can be at betraying any way that leads me away from His way. And I very betray His ways for much less than thirty pieces of silver … a momentary thrill … a sense of self-worth … an arrogant thought.
Jesus understands. And He still loves us. He looked at Judas and said …
“Friend, do what you came here to do.”
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, give me courage to stay true and never put my ways before Yours.