Thoughts on the Death of Christ

45From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,^c lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).^d

47When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^e went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

55Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph,^fand the mother of Zebedee’s sons. (Matthew 27:45-56)

Thoughts: The way Jesus died was both sad, awful and amazing.  None of these witnesses were exhaustive in their coverage, but the only words Matthew has Jesus saying was the quote from Psalm 22- "My God, my God why have you forsaken me."  It was the cry of the lamb being sacrificed for the sins of the people.  Jesus cried out again in a loud voice.  This is probably the "It is finished" cry recorded by John (19:30).
     But Matthew, more than others speaks of immediate positive things that happened when Christ died.
1) The curtain was torn in two.  This was a symbol that God was being let loose on the world.  The Temple had concentric circles of intimacy built in.  There was a court of the Gentiles, then a court of the women, then a court of the men, then the court where the priests could enter, then the Holy of Holies where the high priest only went once a year.  When the curtain was torn in twain, when Jesus died, the opening up of access of God was symbolized.  Indeed the message of Christianity is for all people- Jew, Greek, slave, free, men and women. 
2) The earth shook and the tombs opened- some of the godly were raised.  Scientists can go back and look at seismological history and tell there were several earthquake events on the Mt. of Olives when Jesus died on that Passover 14 Nisan (April 3rd) 33 AD.  The tombs not only broke open in the earthquake, but several godly people who had died were raised to life and went throughout Jerusalem.  It wasn't too long after this that several thousand were converted to Christ in Jerusalem all at once.  Perhaps having uncle Joe, that you knew was dead for several months, all of a sudden come back might make you wander what happened.  The theological point is that the death of Christ brings life.
3) The executors said, "Surely this was the Son of God."  John Wayne played the centurion in "The Greatest Story Ever Told."  But it wasn't just the centurion- all the guard said it.  The Romans were usually superstitious and were probably in awe at the bravery and few words  of Christ.  He was not complaining or whining but facing mockery bravery.  Add to that the earthquake, darkness at mid day, and tombs breaking open and they could tell this was no ordinary man dying an ordinary death.  Our call as well is to look at the death of Christ and say, 'Surely this was the Son of God." 

Prayer: Lord, your death is inspiring.  Yet it is horrible.  Let me appreciate your love shown in your death and even in how you died. 

Mockery

32As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. 33They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).34There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.35When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42“He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. (Matthew 27)

Thoughts: The higher you go the greater your fall.  So this "king" of the Jews was mocked.  He became the lightning rod- accused of things he didn't even say so that people could feel good about his fall.  There is a type of blood lust that shows itself today when a prominent minister or politician or entertainer is dethroned.  What this does is to keep good people away from the needed higher positions.  Who wants to go through the scrutiny in the name of public service when half the public not only doesn't want you to serve, they will do everything they can to stymie you?
      Ironically, Matthew quotes from Psalm 22 and 51 to point out that these mockeries were predicted long before they were made.  Thus even in mockery and false accusations, God is still in control.  The difference is obvious however, none of us is perfect.  Jesus, however deserved none of this.  He was the real king.  The mockeries showed how ignorant the people were.  It is never good to mock. We should be sensitive and recognize our need to be kind and gracious.  Would that they had been kind and gracious to Jesus. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be more kind than I am and more generous in my thoughts of others.  

The Mocking is Bullying

27Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. 30They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. 31After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. (Matthew 27:27-31)

Thoughts: There is much talk about bullying today.  But bullying has been around.  The sad thing is that the righteous are often the ones who are picked on, mocked, and bullied.  Today it is a bit easier because we can bully without doing so face to face, and many times we may bully another and express our opinion anonymously.  But here people in power bullied the righteous but seemingly powerless Jesus.  Jesus had reminded Pilate that he would have no power if it were not given to him on high (Jn. 19:10).  This was a reminder from Jesus that all power and energy and life comes from God and we need to not use our power/energy/life carelessly, unethically, and especially in a way that bullies or persecutes others.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be kind and gentle not harsh and bullying.  

Jesus and the Roman Judge

11Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

“You have said so,” Jesus replied.

12When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. 13Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” 14But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.

15Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.16At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus^b Barabbas. 17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

21“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

25All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.  (Matthew 27:11-26)

Thoughts: It is evident that Pilate wanted to find a reason to let Jesus go.  His wife told him to let him go.  He found no reason to condemn Him- even asking the crowd, "Why, what crime has he committed?"  He tried to let Him go and have Barabbas imprisoned instead.  But the crowd was insistent and Pilate did not have the guts to stand up for justice against a lynch-mob.  The Roman government was one of the best at creating laws and enforcing fairness.  The Romans gave the Pax Romana about this time that Jesus died.  The Romans gave us the common law which is based mainly on Roman thought.  But here the law failed.  Both the Jewish Law and the Roman Law- and the most innocent of all men was condemned to a horrible death.  Certainly this part of the Passion of Christ reminds us of the injustice inherent in life.  Yet we see this in face of the cross.  Injustice does not win in the end.  

Prayer: Lord, let me live justly and truthfully before you, even if no one else sees it.  Let me not simply live to please others- who are impossible to please.  

Judas's Demise

1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. 2So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.

3When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. 4“I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

5So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

6The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”  (Matthew 27:1-10)

Thoughts: This passage could be labeled, "Judas's regret."  Jesus had predicted that the one who betrayed Him would wish he would never be born.  Judas fulfilled this in his suicide.  This passage does not teach us about suicide.  It does teach us about Judas.  When Judas "saw he was condemned" then he regretted it.  Perhaps something just clicked in his mind and woke him up to this evil.  But perhaps he only wanted Jesus to be arrested, not condemned.  The chief priests may have even told Judas that Jesus would not have any real harm. We do not know this.  However, betrayal of a friend is a very evil thing. 
     Acts also speaks of this.  Some get all hung up in the details- taking things too woodenly.  Matthew speaks of Judas hanging himself.  Acts speaks of his throwing himself down.  MGM had Judas hanging over a cliff and then falling in their movie.  There is some debate about the potter's field.  But the basic message is Judas died a terrible self-inflicted death.  It is a message for us to not deny or betray our Lord. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be loyal to you, following you with all my heart.  

Denying Him

69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:69-75)

Thoughts: Peter was perhaps the second bravest of the disciples. John it seems, led Peter to the courtyard for he knew the high priest.  He had connections.  John went inside while Peter stayed out in the courtyard. 
     There is a bit of progression in Peter's challenges and a progression in Peter's denials. 
A servant girl said he was with Jesus. His first denial is I don't know- a mild denial.
Another servant girl confronted him and said, "This fellow was with Jesus" Peter clearly said, "I don't know the man."  Then more than one- several approached him about his accent being from Galilee.  Peter then cursed and said he didn't know Jesus. 
    Now, many would say because he denied him, he got to live another day.  Perhaps he would be brought up to trial as well.  Doubtless the priests servants were on the lookout for spies and servants of Jesus.  Perhaps the only way to tell the difference was their accents. This was used before when the tribe of Ephraim were asked to say "Shibbolet" and they left the "H" out. 
     All the reasons and excuse for denying Jesus went away when the rooster crowed.  Excuses do not matter when we truly remember the words of our Lord.  The One who died for us did not deny us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful to you no matter what.  When the time comes to speak up for you, give me wisdom to speak with tenderness, grace, and truth.  

Thanks with all your Heart

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)

Thoughts: When God works to answer a prayer we should recognize it.  It is good to stop and review what God has done for us in the last year and to give thanks to God.  Maybe something bad is not as bad as it could be.  Maybe something really good happened this year.  Maybe you saw God's hand in providing for your needs. 
     The Psalmist reminds us to give thanks without holding anything back- with all our hearts we should thank God!

Prayer: Lord, help me to have a grateful heart.  Fill me with gratitude that my life would praise you. 

Who Hit You, God?

57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^e

65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” (Mathew 26:57-67)

Thoughts: The High Priest, Caiaphas had a house a few miles from the Garden of Gethsemane, and a few more from the praetorium where Jesus would be tried by Pilate and then crucified near there. 
     All evidence against God is false evidence. God is truth.  He is reality.  All who think that God is not there are under illusion.  They were trying to "find false evidence" (vs. 59). But false witnesses came forward- twisting His words.  Jesus spoke of His body dying and raising it in three days.  He spoke of His body as the Temple of God's Spirit.  What Jesus did speak of was the destruction of the Herodian Temple- finished in 67 AD and destroyed stone by stone in 70 AD.
   Finally the chief priest wanted Jesus to tell them if he thought he was God in the flesh- the "Son" or "flesh" of God.  Jesus said Yes- you have said so- but then clarifies by saying that He will come back to judge Him- and Jesus will be at the place of judgment- the right hand of the Father.  Caiaphas tore his clothes at the thought of a man claiming to be God. For any other it would be blasphemy.  For Jesus, it was like reading His ID Badge. 
  This section ends with people hitting Jesus asking Him to "Prophesy and say who hi Him."  What they meant was that these were strangers hitting Jesus- and they didn't think He could tell their names.  But God knows all of us by name and sees what we do.  Jesus did not need to give into their request for magic to prove His knowledge.  It would do no good.  They were basically asking, "Who hit you God?"  Thinking they were anonymous.  In the end, it was not Jesus who was blaspheming (cursing against God- or defaming Him).  It was the accusers.  God knows when we attack Him.  He may not answer us right away.  We may think we get away from it, but God knows and indeed cares.  

Prayer: Lord, may I never attack you.  Give me grace to fear your name and respect who you are.  

Arresting the Judge

47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

50Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”^d

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

55In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:47-56)

Thoughts: it is always embarrassing to be arrested publicly.  These were embarrassed to arrest Jesus publicly so they arrested Him at night.  The disciples were not just embarrassed, they were afraid and all deserted Him and fled.  Jesus, the Prince of Love, was betrayed by a kiss from a friend.  It was fake love and real betrayal. 
     Mark tells us that the one who cut off the servant's ear was Peter.  Peter had vowed to never desert Jesus and so he was trying to stick to his side of the deal.  Yet it is not for war or fighting that Jesus came.  Jesus had more power than those who arrested Him, yet He almost allowed them to take Him to fulfill God's will. 

Prayer: Lord keep me from running away from you when things get tough. 

Not My Will

36Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” (Matthew 26:36-46)

Thoughts: Gethsemane was an olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives.  Its name means "Olive Press."  Here Jesus was under tremendous pressure spiritually.  Jesus admits the sorrow of his torturous and the weight of the world on Him was making Him as sad as He could be and still live.  He asks that the disciples watch with Him.  He wanted them to be His companions and to pray with Him.
     He asked, "If it is possible"... It was not.  But Jesus teaches us in His sorrow how we should pray- "Not my will but thine be done."  It is similar to "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  All our prayers- big or small- the ones answered by yes or no- are all submitted to God's will. 
     He found them sleeping twice.  They were probably exhausted with the stress of Jesus' predictions of His death.  Out of their sleep they were stirred to wake up to a betrayal and arrest.  It is very sad that the stress of life kept them from being awake when Jesus needed them to be alert.  Let us be alert when we need to be.  This may mean being aware of when we go to sleep before worship, or before a big event where we serve God. 

Prayer: Lord, let your will be done in me.  I submit my will to you and your will.  

Prediction of Falling Away

31Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“ ‘I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’^c

32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. (Matthew 26:31-35)

Thoughts: Why would Jesus say this?  Why would Matthew record it?  It is a bit embarrassing for the disciples to have this prophecy recorded.  Jesus was not being negative, he was being realistic.  He was telling them ahead of time- so they would know that God is in control, and can predict our failures.  When we mess up, it does not surprise God.  Rather, it saddens Him. 
     Peter, "The Rock", said everyone else may fall away, but he would not.  Indeed, Peter was braver than most (as usual).  It was Peter who got out of the boat to walk to Jesus when no one else would get out of the boat.  But Peter saw the wind and waves and sank.  So Peter cut off the servants ear.  Peter would follow Jesus to Caiaphas's house.  But there when challenged, Peter backed down denying he knew Jesus. 
    All the disciples had good intentions and believed in their own ability.  But they all ran away in one way or the other.  Jesus would die alone for the sins of the world. 

Prayer: Lord, my will is strong but my strength is weak.  Help me to do better than I can and to be faithful to you when I need to be.  

The Supper

26While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the^b covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.  (Matthew 26:25-30)

Thoughts: Jesus was celebrating the Passover- which was a salvation remembering meal. The Last Supper is a meal to remember the new covenant we are under.  The Lord's Supper replaces Passover as the Salvation remembering meal.  While the Israelites were saved from slavery by the blood of the Lamb, we who believe in Jesus, are saved from spiritual slavery by the blood of Jesus.
     For centuries the church has debated what "is" is.  This IS my body- meaning that the bread Jesus was using was somehow transformed into His body while He was holding it; and the grape cup was transformed into His blood while He was holding it.  Some like Luther point out that the presence of Christ is tied to the elements mysteriously.  Calvin speaks of a spiritual presence.  Some say the elements are a symbol of Christ.  Just as when we look at a map we say, "This is the world" but it really is not the world.  While the danger of one is being superstitious about the cup and bread, the danger on the other hand is to be too rationalistic and leaving the mystery out.  In the end, I think God is not overly pleased with our division over this issue. 
    In several Christian traditions the supper is called the "Eucharist" which means "thanksgiving."  We are called by Christ to be grateful for His giving of Himself for us. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to appreciate your love shown in the bread and cup.  Draw me closer to you in my heart through my communion, in thanksgiving to you.  

Jesus Had Plans for the Passover

17On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

20When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.” (Matthew 26:17-25)

Thoughts: Jesus had plans.  He had plans for the Passover, turning it into the Last Supper, and woven in there were plans for a betrayer to betray Him.  We make our plans not knowing what is around the corner.  Some of us aren't good at planning at all.  God knows the future, and knows the plans He has for Himself and everyone.  He knew Judas would betray Him.  Judas did not believe Jesus was God- he could not put his faith in Him.  Judas thought his evil was done in secret.  His secret plans and his secret betrayal were not secret to Jesus.  We too, think we can hide things from Christ.  But He sees us clearer than Google satellite sees our house.  He knows us by name.  He sees the time we deny Him or even betray His cause and love.  Yet Jesus, who invited Judas to the Supper knowing full well what he would do, also invites us to worship and to the Supper. Let us come, but let us repent from our denial or betrayal.  Let us instead follow and love Him. 

Prayer: Lord, you know me.  Forgive me, and help me to turn my life around.  

Betrayal or Love

14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.  (Matthew 26:14-16)

Thoughts: It is apparent Judas was willing to betray Jesus even before he found out how much he could get.  There are numerous theories about why Judas would betray Jesus.  It is probably complicated and complex.
    John 12 points out that it was Judas who strongly objected to a woman pouring expensive perfume on Jesus, anointing Him for His death.  Judas objected that the perfume could be sold and the money- a year's wages- could be given to the poor.  Jesus pointed out that there was a place for such worship.  Judas had a secular view of religion- that it was only to help the poor.  He left out the idea of God- and God in Jesus.  His faith in Jesus was small.  Some take from "Iscariot" that Judas was a zealot who wanted to overthrow the Romans and Jesus did not seek to do that. 
     Thirty Pieces of silver was the price an owner was given for a slave gored by an ox (Ex. 21:32).  Zechariah prophecies to the corruption of his people when the Messiah comes.  He prophecies the Messiah's worth for the people is the low price of a slave- and that money would be thrown in the potter's field.  Judas gave the money he received back to the priests who bought a potter's field with it (Mt. 27:3-10). 
    Judas watched for a chance to betray Christ.  There are many today who would betray their faith.  They betray their faith by speaking evil of it.  They betray their faith by degrading the church or holy things or even Jesus Himself.  Judas lived in terrible regret and remorse (but not repentance).  His pride persuaded him he could betray the best man he ever knew.  We should seek to love God instead of betray Him, and not be hesitant to love Him with heart, soul, mind, and strength.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to love you and not betray you.  Let my faith grow in love for you.