Lent 39. Jesus: Betrayed

Lent offers the opportunity to examine the qualities of Jesus that make him our role model as well as our Saviour and Lord.

--- JESUS WAS BETRAYED ---

We have no evidence that Jesus had his head in the sand. He wasn't surprised that someone from his inner circle was greedy enough to take money to hand him over to his enemies. (Or that an intimate friend would verbally abandon him later that night.)

This morning, reading the text again, I am struck by this question, asked by Judas of the priests:
"What are you willing to give me to hand him over to you?" (Matthew 26:15)

Judas had a price for selling out Jesus. Many of us have a price for betrayal as well. We just don't recognize it, while guarding our:

  • Reputation: we are not willing to be shamed, so we don't stand up for what is right or speak up in a group that is mocking Christians and biblical values
  • Security: we don't refuse work that goes against our principles
  • Comfort: we hide behind our fences and stay home rather than engaging the world
  • Friends: we hang out with those who blaspheme God and sin with them to be "part of the crowd"
  • Family: we refuse to stand our ground against unbiblical customs or practices in our heritage.
  • Etc. Name your own price here ...
SELF-ASSESSMENT: What price are you are willing to receive to put aside your faith or your integrity? If you aligned yourself completely with Jesus, what would it cost you?

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