THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. —Matthew 26:14

And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” —Matthew 26:21-25

            Three years Judas had been with Jesus and His disciples… three years! Only Jesus knew who Judas really was— “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70). The disciples did not have a clue what Judas would do. They thought Judas was one of them. He had gone everywhere with them. He was even the trusted treasurer — “… as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it” (John 12:6). But the disciples didn’t really know who Judas was and what his motivation was.

            In today’s value, Judas sold Jesus out for $3,000.   Imagine someone putting such a low value on your life! Judas valued the King of Creation at less than the average month’s wage in the U.S. today! Wow!   Jesus said of Judas that “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” And really, this is true of any person that does not call on the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:13). It would have been better for that person not to have been born!   Think of that!

            But also think of this… How much do you and I value Jesus? Do I place anything above Him? Do I place any desires above His desires? Do I value any actions above His actions? Do my priorities conflict with His priorities?   Do I live according to my word or according to His Word? Am I working out the works He has for me or my own works that I want to do instead of His?   How do you and I answer those questions?

Dear Father may I have Jesus as the top priority in my life.   Oh, that my life would honor You.   May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwjTT2bqKk0