Jesus Shows A Caring Way
Reflections
April 3, 2012, 6:52pm
Matthew 26:14-25
One of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief
priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand [Jesus]
over to you?” They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time
on he looked for an opportunity to hand Him over.
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples
approached Jesus and said, “Where do you want us to prepare for You to
eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell
him, ‘The teacher says, “My appointed time draws near; in your house I
shall celebrate the Passover with My disciples.” The disciples then did
as Jesus had ordered, and prepared the Passover.
When it was evening, He reclined at table with the Twelve. And while
they were eating, He said, “Amen, I say to you, one of you will betray
Me.” Deeply distressed at this, they began to say to Him one after
another, “Surely it is not I, Lord?” He said in reply, “He who has
dipped his hand into the dish with Me is the one who will betray Me.
The Son of Man indeed goes, as it is written of Him, but woe to that
man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man
if he had never been born.” Then Judas,
His betrayer, said in reply,
“Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” He answered, “You have said so.”
REFLECTIONS
One of you will betray Me. Jesus knows that a terrible thing lies
ahead of Him. But He faces it courageously and accepts it with dignity.
Jesus knows that He will be betrayed. But He does not reveal His
betrayer’s identity, showing that He still cares for Judas and hopes
the latter would change His mind.
What would you do if you knew someone would betray you? Threatening
and hurting words would surely be spoken. What would you do if someone
actually betrayed you? A violent response would not be improbable.
Jesus shows a caring way. He sends signals of concern and
forgiveness. Jesus still wants His betrayer’s conversion and salvation.
Jesus has compassion for him and remains gentle with him.
Can you follow Jesus’ example with respect to His betrayer?
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