Jesus drops a bombshell
by Steve Liersch
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Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me’ (Matthew 26:23).
Read Matthew 26:17–25
It took around three years to form and train the group that we have come to know as the 12 disciples. All along, you can’t help but think that Jesus would have chosen only the best followers to train and carry on his ministry. Judas was among them. The gospels of Matthew (26:14–16), Mark (14:10,11) and Luke (22:3–6) all refer to Judas as the one who would betray Jesus into the hands of his enemies. God knows, and Jesus knows, that Judas would be an integral part of his plan of salvation. Go figure!
How often do we hear stories of an ‘insider’ doing damage to an organisation? For example, a club captain doing drugs or scheming to move to another club (topical to a couple of AFL teams), a childcare worker abusing a child, or a business manager diddling the books. So many times, we hear of trust being betrayed and comments like, ‘I never thought they were that sort of person.’
In Jesus’ case, he knew what was about to unfold. He even knew who would do what and predicted it so that people would be aware that nothing is beyond his knowledge. ‘Peter, you will deny me three times before the rooster crows.’ It wasn’t just Judas who would fail.
In verse 25 of today’s text, we read, ‘Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.”’ No-one likes to be called out for doing the wrong thing.
Yet this is no ordinary meal being shared with Jesus. In just a few minutes after this exchange with Judas, Jesus speaks words that he, along with you and I, need to hear constantly, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’
This is the best ‘bombshell’ that Jesus could ever speak. Betrayal, denial, scheming, deceitfulness – the list goes on. And Jesus’ response is: ‘Forgiveness is available through what I am about to do for you.’ If only Judas had waited a few days to see how it all turned out. That forgiveness could have been his despite what he had done.
Don’t wait too long to repent and make peace with God as you receive his forgiveness. The results will be life-changing.
Thank you, Jesus, for your forgiveness. Please work through your Holy Spirit so that I may ask for it every day. Amen.
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