The Betrayal
Posted on December 16th, 2024 by RedeemedNow the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. Matthew 26: 48 - 50 (NKJV Bible Offline)
Often times people are in a relationship for whatever reasons and when they realised that their motives for being in that relationship does not align with the vision of the group or the other party in the relationship they are offended.
This offense will result in a number of actions by the one who felt offended.
In the above Scripture reading, one of Jesus's disciples by the name of Judas felt Jesus needed to be dealt with by the way he wasted the money he felt should have come to the treasury of which he was custodian of.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. Matthew 26: 8 - 10 (NKJV Bible Offline)
When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26: 12 - 16 (NKJV Bible Offline)
It did not occur to him (Judas) that he wasn’t the owner of the perfume because the one who owns the perfume have every right to use it the way she deemed fit, and also, Jesus have the right to have the perfume poured on him, for it was an act of love and worship from the woman.
Angered by Jesus's actions Judas set out to betray him, and because he was close to Jesus he knew the movements of Jesus. Infact, he was very aware of the itinerary of Jesus.
Equipped with this information he felt he could make money by selling him to his enemies. Driven by this desire he set out to betray the one he called master.
He hatched out a plan and set out to implement it, not knowing that his destiny too was sealed also in his actions, something he never imagined or thought was possible awaits him as he was driven by his desire to make gain out of the betrayal of his master.
He arranged with those who wanted Jesus out of the way on how Jesus would be identified in the midst of his disciples - this is an indication that Jesus was a servant leader in the midst of his disciples. The signal would be a kiss he agreed with them.
The one he kissed is the one they are looking for he told them.
A kiss is a show or sign of friendship, an indication of closeness to the individual, and this is the signal Judas Iscariot choose to betrayal Jesus with!
Jesus betrayal had been prophesied in Scriptures, and that this betrayal would be done by a close associate, one that eats bread with him.
Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me. Psalm 41: 9 (NKJV Bible Offline).
As Judas went about plotting and scheming to sell Jesus out, it never occurred to him he was fulfilling this Scriptures and everything written about the one who betrayed Jesus was also awaiting him.
It's sad that people, blinded by hatred, envy and all manner of wickedness set about scheming and plotting the downfall of innocent people, they never factor in that their demise and destruction is tied to their own schemes.
Judas was oblivious to his own end. All he saw was the money, he didn't see his own death and destruction. So sad ?.
Evil, says the Scriptures will slay the wicked (Psalm 34:21). It will not let its captors go free until it destroyed them. The wickedness of the wickedness will destroy him (Ezekiel 18: 20).
That was exactly what happened to Judas as he lead the mob to arrest Jesus in the garden where he usually went to with his disciples. With a kiss he betrayed innocent blood.
Jesus said it was better for him (the one that betrayed him) not to have been born at all. (Matthew 26: 24).
Just as Scriptures said, Jesus was arrested and went through one of the most harrowing experience any one had ever gone through.
His body was so marred that it could not be recognised.
Though Pilate found no fault with him, yet the priest and leaders demanded he be crucified. All these happened to fulfill what had been written concerning him by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 54: 3 - 10)
He was condemn and crucified on the cross after they repeatedly struck him, spitting at him and made mockery of him. They wore him a crown of thorns and nailed him to the cross.
He hunged on the cross for several hours and then breathed his last amidst several mysterious happenings amongst which was darkness taking over the land for several hours (He was the light of the world), the curtains separating the Holy of Holies was turn in two - signifying access to the Father through the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Main while, Judas was in anguish over what he had done. He regretted his actions and attempted to reverse it but he underestimated those he was dealing with.
Judas acknowledge that he had betrayed an innocent man and even returned the money he was paid for selling Jesus to them but Jesus's haters would have none of what he was saying. They told him to deal with the situation he caused himself.
In despair he threw the money at them and went to hang himself.
The money he loved suddenly turned to something he wanted to separate from desperately. It was like fire burning him and so he threw it at them.
Of course they didn’t add the money to theirs, for they said its blood money. They knew Jesus was innocent, yet they killed him and so bought a field where they bury foreigners. (Matthew 27: 3 - 9)
All this happened so as to fulfill Scriptures.
Judas felt offended by the way a certain woman poured a very expensive perfume on Jesus. The disciples, including Judas felt the course of the poor in their midst would have been served more if they had sold the perfume and the money given to them.
He actually didn’t care about the poor but rather for himself for he use to help himself with the money.
One wonder if the woman had no right to do what she wanted with her perfume. Anyone who claim to care so much for the poor can actually go out there and help them as they wish but no, most people would not. They use the poor as a means to enrich themselves whilst claiming to fight for their course.
This was the case with Judas. Something that started as a small offense in their group, which others dealt with and let go, Judas Iscariot allowed to balloon into full blown murder case, which also consumed him as the betrayer.
Truly the Scriptures was fulfilled to the later that says he will fall into the pit that digs it, for God's Word cannot be broken.
They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves. Psalm 57: 6 (NKJV Bible Offline).
Consider before you plot that evil, you may just be scheming your own downfall.
God bless.
Peace ✌️.
