Text: Psalm 41:9, Matthew 26:47-56
The days are going to get much darker before they get light again.
As we study the story of Christ’s betrayal today, I can’t help but catch my breath at the truth that Christ knew Judas would betray Him – He even knew the price – and yet, the word He uses to address Judas was “friend.”
Jesus broke bread with him at dinner. He prayed with him. He talked to the Father about what Judas would inevitably do.
And when the soldiers came into Gethsemane and Judas identified Jesus with a kiss, Christ’s response wasn’t anger. He didn’t spit unkind, vindictive words at Judas while being wrestled away. He went quietly. Even when His beloved disciple and friend gave Him over for 30 pieces of silver (about a month’s wages), He went in love – in obedience.
I’ll be honest. I can’t even imagine.
I want to identify with Christ here – as The Betrayed. But I remember how spitting mad and violated – even self-righteous – I’ve felt in the moments in my own life when I’ve been blindsided by betrayal. I remember all those times I did not respond in love. And isn’t it like our Lord that, even in His darkest betrayal and arrest, He was teaching you and me and His disciples and the soldiers what love and obedience to the Father look like.
Sadly, I cringe to realize I also identify with Judas – The Betrayer. It makes me close my eyes and quietly groan a little to think about the moments I have been guilty of effectively choosing a month’s wages over honoring the One we call Lord. I think of the times I’ve pushed Him aside to further myself. I think of the greed of which I am guilty – greed for money, for status, even for a guarantee of safety that no earthly leader can ever truly guarantee.
But as I think back to our Savior that night, I wonder today: what does it really mean to be Christ to someone who has done you wrong? When you are hurt – really wounded – by a close friend or family member, can you say to the Lord,
“I am certain that I want to honor you more than I want to feel vindicated.”
-Scotty Smith
Christ’s response to Judas wasn’t a sign of weakness (though I’d bet His closest friends may have wondered differently – even Peter as he rose to Christ’s defense!). It was love. Love for Judas. Love for The Father. Love for every one of us in our most shameful, Judas moments.
And in His love He honored His Father, just as He had promised through sweaty, bloody tears in Gethsemane. Christ’s submission to the Father’s omnipotent hand was unwavering.
In His love – not just for Judas and not only for the Father, but for us – He was led to His trial. And He was sentenced to death.
Your betrayals and mine – His blood covers it all. And He calls us “friend.”
Oh Betrayal. Possibly the enemy's greatest weapon against me. I can succumb in an instant to anger and the desire for vindication. Even though I may not lash out to retaliate in the moment, I waste precious time, thoughts, and energy churning with anger… rehearsing over and over in my mind what I would say, what I would do. I become a willing participant in the enemy's game to destroy any hope, any love, any grace I have asked Christ to place on my heart. Why do I do this? How is it so easy for me to abruptly turn away from all that God is showing me, all the love and mercy He grants me, in favor of such darkness? How easily sin entraps me. How quickly I cooperate. This part of the Holy Week story has always challenged me, but Raechel, your devotion convicts. I need it, and I thank you. A lot to think about here…
Even when I betray him, mock him, and hurt him with my sin, he still loves me and calls me friend!! Gotta love it! I am glad that I have a friend in Jesus, despite it all he calls me friend!
This is the first time I’ve commented, although I’ve been reading here for awhile. My heart is so heavy from an unexpected blow from one of my closest friends. I’ve been sitting here, hashing out my response w my husband and I thought I would pull up shereadstruth to see if God had anything to say to me about betrayal. I am so humbled by His outright, extravagant love. He outright spoke directly to me in the midst of my pain and bewilderment and I know exactly what I need to do. I need to love Him more than I need to be vindicated. Thank you Jesus and thank you for this devotion. So grateful for a loving Father.
Jesus takes the high road all the time and if only I had an ounce of His patience and love… I might have avoided some testy situations in my life. Yo Jesus, I want to be like you when I grow up! :-)
Thank you for sharing todays message! It is so much easier to be Christ to people who are kind to us. It's truly humbling to realize I need to ask for strength so I can be Christ to those who have done me wrong and hurt me. When people are hurtful I will practice going quietly as Jesus did, holding my tongue and not acting on impulse.
There is simply no grace within me when I am hurt.
And yet, "He did not retaliate when insulted, He did not threaten to get even when He suffered." (1 Pet 2:23 NLT)
And He, sisters, was BLAMELESS. I am as far from that as I can get.
Lord, thank you for your kindness and your constant example.
"Christ's submission to the Father's omnipotent hand was unwavering" wow. I want that. I want my submission to God's will and ways to be unwavering. I want to respond to people in love like Jesus did. I am so thankful that I heard this message today for I am facing a decision and I need to act in a way that God would want. Thank you so much for sharing this with me today!