Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Jesus and Judas

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Matthew 26:20-25
When it was evening, he reclined at table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to him one after another, "Surely it is not I, Lord? He said in reply, "He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born."

Then Judas, his betrayer, said in reply, "Surely it is not I, Rabbi?"

Jesus answered, "You have said so."

Woe. Woe is me. Woe to Judas. Whoa.

Jesus doesn't mince words in Matthew's version of the story. Judas sounds as if he didn't know what to think, surprised that Jesus was reading his mind and perhaps surprised that Jesus would think what he was doing was so wrong. But Jesus made himself perfectly clear.

Judas simply doesn't get it when Jesus insists that a man must lay down his life for his friends. Judas was caught in his own selfish point of view. He disagreed vehemently about how his friend Jesus should use his power. What did Judas know? He thought he understood the forces of the world in a way Jesus always refused to embrace.

Perhaps he did understand that force. Certainly Satan had him in a stranglehold. Not more than three days later Judas hung himself and was terribly, finally dead. Just what Satan wanted.

Judas' remorse was known: Jesus knew him better than he knew himself. Jesus loved him. In his very busy days after death Jesus spent time in Hades (1 Peter 3:18) and, I think, beside his friend Judas. Judas didn't look around for Jesus, but He was there. Judas didn't forgive himself, but Jesus died for Judas' sin. Judas betrayed not only Jesus, but also himself by settling for guilt instead of receiving Jesus' gift.

"Look around, and see me." Jesus said that to Peter, the disciple who denied him over and over, and Peter found him. In his broken pride Judas did not.

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the muddy depths where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters. The floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help. My throat is parched and my eyes fail looking for my God. I pray to you, O Lord. In your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

Devotions Archive

Jesus and Judas

Wednesday, April 8, 2009