Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.. Matthew 26:50
“Judas. My friend, do what you came to do.”
Jesus knew that Judas was not His friend. He knew precisely what Judas was skulking around about in the days leading up to his deadly betrayal.
Jesus’ words were a rebuke. The kiss from Judas was such an offense. In Jesus’ day, a kiss was a sign of respect. Later, in Paul’s letters he often refers to giving a holy kiss to fellow believers (2 Corinthians 13:12)
But this kiss was one of utter disloyalty.
If you have ever endured the betrayal of a spouse, child, parent or dearest friend, then you know the bitter pain that it brings. But our most painful betrayal can never be measured against the depth of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus…
…or ours…
Have you ever stopped to think of the bitter sorrow borne by Jesus? Jesus was facing the abandonment of His Father for sin that He was innocent of. And that included his impenitent betrayer’s sin…
…and ours…
I lay my sins on Jesus,
the spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
from the accursed load;
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
to wash my crimson stains
white in His blood most precious
till not a spot remains.1
Jesus’ greatest agony on the cross was not physical suffering. His greatest sorrow and loss was being expelled from God’s sight.
Some evil people, throughout history, have stood tyrannically against God, but they have eventually repented and been redeemed. Paul of Tarsus is a great example. He was a bloodthirsty Pharisee. When he meets Jesus, Jesus asks why Paul was persecuting Him. Jesus was referring to the murderous rampage against the Church. Acts 9:4-7 Be sure to read the story of Paul’s conversion.
Some evil people, like Judas, throughout history have stood against God and have never repented. But that didn’t keep them from being used in fulfilling God’s plan.
So, Jesus came. Jesus willingly submitted to the horrific abuse by evil men primarily to obey the Father. He came because He loved people, too. But His heart was set on accomplishing the will of God.
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. John 6:38
If you are a believer, one of the best ways you can honor the sacrifice of our risen Lord Jesus, is to obey Him. As a believer, your obedience to Him starts here: Matthew 22:37-40
Share the Gospel in your World!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
- I Lay My Sins on Jesus
Horatius Bonar
ca. 1843
Public Domain ↩︎
