{ Holy Week - Wednesday - Betrayal }

Luke 22:1-6 (NLT)
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.

Have you ever been betrayed by somebody.....specifically by somebody you thought was your friend?
If you haven't, then consider yourself very blessed....
because it hurts!!!
It just seems to cut you to the core when you realize that somebody you confided in chose to betray your confidence, and your trust, and your friendship....for what they considered to be their own gain.
If this happens to you in the workplace...maybe the other person is jealous, for whatever reason...maybe they think that it will help them to get ahead, get a promotion, get a pay increase.

Betrayal happened to Jesus, too!!
Judas was one of Jesus' chosen twelve....one of his followers.
He was even in charge of their money:

John 12:6 (NLT)
Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

John 13:29a (NLT)
Since Judas was their treasurer.....

And, according to scripture, he was also a thief.
I don't really know what got into Judas.....
well, yes, I do.....
it was Satan!

This is my personal opinion.....
GREED got the best of Judas.
He saw those "dollar signs" before his eyes, 
and realized this was going to be easy money for him, 
to turn Jesus over to the authorities.
The odd thing to me is that it was so unnecessary.
Jesus could have been easily found without the help of Judas.
It was just all part of the "big picture".....
all part of God's plan.

Do you realize that this happening to Jesus is just one more thing that He suffered while on earth that makes Him able to relate to us when we go thru something similar?

Here is what I'm trying to say, but the scripture tells it so much better.....

Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT)
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Praise the Precious, Holy Name of JESUS!!!
He understands my weaknesses because he faced all of the same testings that I do.....
yet.....
HE DID NOT SIN!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, JESUS!!!

Thank you for what You did for me.....
for all of us!!!!

Breathing in Grace,