We are continuing our meditation from yesterday, examining the question of why Judas betrayed Christ. Some suggest that Judas aimed to pressure Jesus into rebellion against the Romans so that a confrontation would happen, allowing Jesus to use His power to overthrow Roman rule. What was going through Judas' mind as he walked to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard? (Luke 22:4). What we do know is that he looked for a convenient time and place to betray his Master with a kiss on the cheek, and he had already received the thirty silver coins in payment for betraying Christ before the Last Supper. Here’s what Matthew tells us:
14Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests 15and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins. 16From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over (Matthew 26:14-16; emphasis added).
Thirty silver coins were the price for a typical enslaved person in the time of Jesus (Exodus 21:32). The Supreme Servant of all was valued and sold for the same price. For Judas, selling his Master was not a rash decision, as he took time to consider how he would betray Jesus (v.16). He waited for an hour of darkness, unaware that it was also God's hour for the Son to be glorified as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? Many experience the pain of betrayal by a friend, business partner, spouse, or relative. Has someone close to you ever hurt you with their words and actions? No one can tell God, “You don’t know what it’s like.” Jesus endured the worst that this world could throw at Him. When Judas approached Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, greeting Him and kissing Him on the cheek, Jesus said to Judas, “Friend, do what you came for” (Matthew 26:50). There was no anger, hatred, or bitterness in Jesus’ heart toward Judas. The same should be true for each of us.
Whatever you and I go through in life, Jesus has been there and can help if we ask Him. As our Leader, He endured every fiery trial thrown at us by our enemy and harbored no bitterness or resentment. His trust was in His Father, even amid the pain of rejection and betrayal. Whatever you are facing in life, He has been there before you and can come beside you in every trial to help you through it.
Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Doctor Donald Grey Barnhouse shares the story of a man who owned a beautiful estate with magnificent trees. It was his habit to walk among the trees and enjoy their beauty. This man had an enemy who deeply hated him; this enemy was always looking for ways to trouble the estate owner. Eventually, the enemy came up with a plan that he believed would deeply hurt the estate owner.
He decided to go to the estate in the dead of night and cut down one of the most beautiful trees. He carefully planned his move. He took a saw and an ax with him and worked vigorously. All night, he labored until his muscles were sore and his hands blistered. As morning broke, he saw the estate owner riding with a companion toward the trees where he had been working. He intensified his efforts, and finally, the large tree began to creak and wobble. As it fell, the opponent started shouting in victory. However, one of the branches fell on him and mortally pinned him to the ground in pain.
His hatred, however, was fierce, and in his dying moments, he mocked the estate owner approaching him. The owner called his companion and said to the enemy, "You thought to do me great harm, but I want to show you what you have done. This man with me is the architect of a beautiful home I plan to build here among these trees. I needed to cut down one of these trees to make space for my house. Look at this plan. The tree upon which you toiled all night, and now the cause of your death, is the one that must be cut down to make room for my house. You worked for me unknowingly, and your effort is for nothing, and bitterness will be your food in death."
In his opposition to God's kingdom, Satan may believe he's clever, but there will come a time when he realizes that God has outsmarted him. We know this because we have read the end of the book! Keith Thomas
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Taken from the series on the Gospel of Luke. Click on Study 58. The Betrayal of Jesus.