GRIEVED
TEXT: Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The One I will kiss is the Man; seize Him.” (Matthew 26:48)
TEXT: Jesus said to him, ”Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Luke 22:48)
It’s hard for me to imagine how much this moment must have hurt Jesus. Judas is one of the closest disciples of Jesus, one of the Twelve. He has spent three years at Jesus’ side, learning, serving, eating, sleeping, travelling. Jesus sent him out to preach and teach like the others; later He trusted him to be treasurer. And now what? Betrayal with a kiss.
Jesus had tried to save Judas. Again and again in the last few days we see Jesus warning Judas, showing him honor, serving him with His own hands, washing his feet. Jesus gave him one of the places of honor at the Last Supper next to him, so close they could whisper and not be heard (John 12:4-7, 13:26, 13:3-5; Matthew 26:25). None of it did any good. Judas made his own choice.
Jesus didn’t stop loving Judas when he made that choice. And He doesn’t stop loving us whenever we betray Him, no matter what we do to grieve Him and throw His love back in His face. Jesus always calls us back, because He loves us. He died on that cross and rose again to bring us back to Him forgiven, clean, and restored.
WE PRAY: Lord, forgive me for the times I grieve You, and draw me closer to You
in love. Amen.
——————– Reflection Questions
• Do you think Jesus would have forgiven Judas, if he had waited for the Resurrection?
• Have you ever been betrayed?
• How does Jesus’ love affect the way He deals with you when you betray Him?
Responses