Because I am not God, I am always surprised, (sometimes shocked) when betrayal by loved ones, those who whom I have worked side by side in ministry.  We get so busy in the work to show the way to Jesus as we “go and make disciples” of Jesus, that we can miss it.  We want to think the best of people, not the worst.  So, we miss the motives that drive some in the work to do it for selfish reasons.   We miss that some have their own agendas for change in the system to their advantage.  We overlook those who seek fame and fortune in the work as their end goal. 

But soon the “traitor” within the ranks is found out when behaviors do not match what they say they believe.  God sees it first.  God knew all along.  No surprise to Him because He knows what’s inside all hearts.  God intervenes and calls them out.  God protects what He has ordained.  God provides forgiveness to betrayers and traitors.  They have the choice to repent and accept His mercy and grace.  But some do not.  They hang themselves by the end of the rope they themselves have created.

But, don’t miss this!  Jesus, Son of God, keeps moving forward in the mission God gave him to do.  This is so important to learn from our Teacher, Savior, and Lord!  The betrayer in the group will not hinder what God has given Jesus to accomplish—For God so loved the world…

Matthew 26, The Message

The Traitor

¹⁷ On the first of the Days of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare your Passover meal?”

^18-19 He said, “Enter the city. Go up to a certain man and say, ‘The Teacher says, My time is near. I and my disciples plan to celebrate the Passover meal at your house.’” The disciples followed Jesus’ instructions to the letter, and prepared the Passover meal.

^20-21 After sunset, he and the Twelve were sitting around the table. During the meal, he said, “I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators.”

²² They were stunned, and then began to ask, one after another, “It isn’t me, is it, Master?”

^23-24 Jesus answered, “The one who hands me over is someone I eat with daily, one who passes me food at the table. In one sense the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense that man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!”

²⁵ Then Judas, already turned traitor, said, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?”

Jesus said, “Don’t play games with me, Judas.”

The Bread and the Cup

^26-29 During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples:

Take, eat.
This is my body.

Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them:

Drink this, all of you.
This is my blood,
God’s new covenant poured out for many people
    for the forgiveness of sins.

“I’ll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I’ll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father.”

³⁰ They sang a hymn and went directly to Mount Olives.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Judas walked with Jesus, saw the miracles, knew that this Son of Man could have the ability to bring about revolutionary change against their oppressors that he had hoped for in his lifetime.  Assigned as the treasurer of the group, Judas grew greedy and knew he could even make money off the miracle work of a popular preacher. 

Judas went along with the traditional religious practices as part of the group, but that last incident when expensive perfume was spilled out by a woman who wanted to honor Jesus angered him.  This act of love repulsed him the more he thought about how that perfume could have been sold and the money added to his coveted treasury that he was probably skimming from to line his own pockets. 

So, before coming to The Passover Table of the Lord, he sold Jesus out to those who wanted Jesus killed.  30 pieces of silver was the price paid for his betrayal of Jesus—from the religious leaders!

Judas, whom Jesus had washed his feet to show the full extent of His love, served him the wine and bread, was finally exposed for the man he had become. (See also John 13)  Truth rose to the surface as it always does.  Judas knew enough to be bitterly sorrowful that his ruse was over but not enough to ask for Jesus’ forgiveness. 

This is my Body. This is my Blood–God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.  Believe, repent and be saved for eternity!

Jesus said, “Don’t play games with Me.”

Lord,

Forgive us when our human motives override your spiritual intent.  We betray you and the mission when selfishness gets in the way.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who betray us.  Your ultimate goal is that no one perish.  Your love is still so amazing to me in the way you serve those who are becoming enemies of the mission.  Thank you for your example. Thank you for the help of Your Holy Spirit that gives us discernment and wisdom to keep moving forward in your will and purpose for our lives.  I don’t want to play games with you!  You always win!  And I am grateful you do!

In Jesus Name, Amen