Betrayed
A Holy Week reflection.
Taking a week off from the usual to ponder the Holy Week story from the Gospel of Matthew.
From the very beginning of the Gospel story, the anti-Jesus movement has been right out in the open.
Jesus was a newborn when Herod put a hit out on Jesus in Bethlehem.
As soon as Jesus began His ministry, the devil shows up to tempt Him.
Demons know His name and His reputation.
Pharisees and priests had been hating on Him all along.
But it was Judas’ betrayal plan that kicked the last days of Jesus’ life into gear. Judas went to the Chief Priests and said, “How much will you give me to betray Him to you?”
Isn’t it remarkable that Judas used the word “betray”? He didn’t soften it with a euphemism. I would have.
14 Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I betray him to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
If you have ever been betrayal—I’m certain you have!-- you hate that Jesus was betrayed by Judas.
If you have ever betrayed someone you were supposed to love – I’m certain I have!– you hate betrayal even more.
Hate it all you like: this act of betrayal moves the story of divine forgiveness forward. Betrayal drives the events to the cross… to the empty tomb… right up to this moment, this very beat of your cheating, trusting heart.
