Matthew’s Gospel (chapter 26) continues today in the readings for the Daily Office and we are moving ever closer to Jesus’ crucifixion. Today, Judas betrays Jesus, someone that he spent three years with as Jesus went about preaching, teaching and healing. Matthew writes:
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Judas wanted a Messiah that would restore Israel to its former glory as in the days of King David. Judas wanted a Messiah that would throw the Romans out of Israel. He wanted a Messiah on his terms. God had a much different plan. Jesus is the Messiah who says that if you want to be first, you must be last. Jesus said that he came not to be served, but to serve. His entire life of preaching, teaching and healing are based on servanthood. Jesus is the suffering servant; He is the one who gives all that He has to bring life to the world through the power of the resurrection.
Like Judas, we ran astray when we think we know better than God, when we put our plans ahead of His.
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Judas wanted a Messiah that would restore Israel to its former glory as in the days of King David. Judas wanted a Messiah that would throw the Romans out of Israel. He wanted a Messiah on his terms. God had a much different plan. Jesus is the Messiah who says that if you want to be first, you must be last. Jesus said that he came not to be served, but to serve. His entire life of preaching, teaching and healing are based on servanthood. Jesus is the suffering servant; He is the one who gives all that He has to bring life to the world through the power of the resurrection.
Like Judas, we ran astray when we think we know better than God, when we put our plans ahead of His.
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