Matthew 26:14-25 | Psalm 41:9-13 | Gospels in Lent Track: Luke 21-22
The case of Judas is tragic. It’s an uncomfortable aspect of the whole passion story: a close follower of Jesus - 1 of the 12 Jesus had hand-selected - going behind his back to turn him in to the authorities for money. If that’s not enough, once Judas sees the error of his ways, he is denied repentance by his religious leaders (stay tuned).
Matthew 26:14-25
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I turn Jesus over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on he was looking for an opportunity to turn him in.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover meal?”
He replied, “Go into the city, to a certain man, and say, ‘The teacher says, “My time is near. I’m going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’” The disciples did just as Jesus instructed them. They prepared the Passover.
That evening he took his place at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating he said, “I assure you that one of you will betray me.”
Deeply saddened, each one said to him, “I’m not the one, am I, Lord?”
He replied, “The one who will betray me is the one who dips his hand with me into this bowl. The Human One goes to his death just as it is written about him. But how terrible it is for that person who betrays the Human One! It would have been better for him if he had never been born.”
Now Judas, who would betray him, replied, “It’s not me, is it, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You said it.”
Psalm 41:9-13
Even my good friend,
the one I trusted,
who shared my food,
has kicked me with his heel—a betrayer!
But you, Lord, please have mercy on me and lift me up
so I can pay them back!
Then I’ll know you are pleased with me
because my enemy won’t be shouting in triumph over me.
You support me in my integrity;
you put me in your presence forever.
Bless the Lord, the God of Israel,
from forever to forever!
Amen and Amen!
Prayer
God,
I confess Judas’ story haunts me a bit. I don’t like the ending. Clearly he expected something else to happen than what went down. Did he think that Jesus would be forced to demonstrate his power? Was he playing a trump card? Was he really in it for the money? Then why did he try to return it?
But, Lord, most haunting of all is that his religious leaders rejected his attempt to repent. It’s haunting because it seems like we today can often be at the helm of the rejection of people who would otherwise seek healing and salvation.
Help us to be like Jesus, who would have forgiven Judas in a heartbeat. Give us eyes for the Judases of the world who would be so driven in their despair and loneliness as to take their own life.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.