Day Seven

Read the following verses, slowly and thoughtfully: How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! (Psalm 32:1-2)

Read them again, placing your name in them. Reflect on what Jesus has done to forgive your transgressions and cover your own sins. Offer Him a heart of thanksgiving.

To betray someone is to be false or disloyal to them. Ask God to reveal your own heart over the past few days. Have you been false? Disloyal to His call on your life? Ponder your own capacity to betray Christ day by day. Confess your neediness to Him and receive His forgiveness.

Jesus watches the steady snake of torchlights weave its way up the hill. As darkness holds back the dawn, a night owl hoots in the distance. Peter, James and John shiver, trying to shake the sleep from their minds. They summon the rest of the disciples, troubling questions plaguing them. Where are they going? And why does their Master keep talking of betrayal?

As the eleven men huddle together near Jesus, a crowd sharing an unlikely rapport advances up the hill. Roman soldiers with orders to arrest some rabble rouser lead the way. Jewish high priests who know they cannot accomplish their goal without the help of "unclean" Gentiles, join them, swallowing their pride. The temple guards follow, clubs and swords ready to meet expected resistance.

They all tread quietly -- some arrogant, some angry, some irritated at having their sleep interrupted, still others simply curious. Near the front of the throng a Jew named Judas from the distant village of Kerrioth glances furtively about, nervous energy characterizing his movement. Priests on either side urge him forward.

As they near the Garden of Gethsemane, a figure emerges from the shadows. "Who are you looking for?"

Startled, Judas tries to slip behind a Roman soldier. The others stop, some stumbling over each other in surprise. The military leader pulls himself up, and barks: "Jesus of Nazareth."

"I am he."

In tandem the entire crowd falls backward as if felled by a single stroke of lightning. After a moment's confusion, they struggle to their feet, baffled and embarrassed.

The quiet stranger from the shadows, asks again. "Who are you looking for?"

This time several call out. "Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth."

"I am he. I am the one you look for -- let these others go."

Jesus offers the betrayer a chance to walk away with these words, while the soldiers look on in confusion. They have come to arrest a hardened criminal, a dangerous interloper -- not this common man who stands before them. No one knows quite what to do.

Looking into the crowd, Jesus watches for his one-time follower. Nudged by the priests, Judas steps forward and throws his arms around his teacher.

"Rabbi." He kisses Jesus slowly -- first on one cheek, then the other.

Does Jesus' face burn when those lips touch His cheeks? Does he kiss Judas back, holding him close for just a second amidst the crazy chaos of the night? Time is suspended, the onlookers frozen in awkward stillness as they observe the painful interaction.

Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

Betrayed by a kiss. It could have been so much easier. Judas could have stood at a safe distance, pointing a finger while the soldiers rushed in. He could have called out from afar--"that's the one--there he is, he's your man."

Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

No reprimand. No rebuke. Just piercing words that rock the money-keeper to his very core. The Redeemer reaches out in the face of lethal disloyalty and fixes forever his own terrible fate.

Try to imagine the scenes in the garden that night -- disciples waking from restless sleep, Jesus intent on revealing himself, angry religious leaders and powerful soldiers forming a silent, but deadly mob, and one man embracing betrayal as a way of life. Place yourself there.

Sense what Jesus must have felt as the crowd approached. Consider what it is like to have someone you deeply love betray you in such a way. Hear the tender voice of Jesus.

Meditate on 1 Timothy 1:15: It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Consider that you too are a sinner, perhaps worse even than Judas in the moment he betrayed Christ. Offer a prayer of gratitude that Jesus receives you daily to His side, loving you unconditionally. Write a response in your prayer journal.

Oh my Lord, how many wounds you must receive in your journey to the cross? This one must leave your heart raw. Betrayed by a kiss. I want to stand back and point my finger at Judas. And yet, how often have my lips burned your face with disloyalty? How many times have I reached for your touch, yet held my own heart at a distance? I long to say I will never betray you Lord, but you know my heart. Hold me close when I do...especially when I do, for the road away from your side is a desperate one.



MAKING THE PASSION PERSONAL A Journey with Jesus to the Cross and Beyond Tricia McCary Rhodes DAY SEVEN -- Betrayed by a Kiss And even so, with the meekest of gestures, has the war for the world been engaged. With a kiss. And the kiss has a tooth. And the snake that struck the Lord has a back of fire and a body of human opinion. Walt Wangerin Reflect Read the following verses, slowly and thoughtfully: How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! (Psalm 32:1-2) Read them again, placing your name in them. Reflect on what Jesus has done to forgive your transgressions and cover your own sins. Offer Him a heart of thanksgiving. To betray someone is to be false or disloyal to them. Ask God to reveal your own heart over the past few days. Have you been false? Disloyal to His call on your life? Ponder your own capacity to betray Christ day by day. Confess your neediness to Him and receive His forgiveness. Read But Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:48 Jesus watches the steady snake of torchlights weave its way up the hill. As darkness holds back the dawn, a night owl hoots in the distance. Peter, James and John shiver, trying to shake the sleep from their minds. They summon the rest of the disciples, troubling questions plaguing them. Where are they going? And why does their Master keep talking of betrayal? As the eleven men huddle together near Jesus, a crowd sharing an unlikely rapport advances up the hill. Roman soldiers with orders to arrest some rabble rouser lead the way. Jewish high priests who know they cannot accomplish their goal without the help of "unclean" Gentiles, join them, swallowing their pride. The temple guards follow, clubs and swords ready to meet expected resistance. They all tread quietly -- some arrogant, some angry, some irritated at having their sleep interrupted, still others simply curious. Near the front of the throng a Jew named Judas from the distant village of Kerrioth glances furtively about, nervous energy characterizing his movement. Priests on either side urge him forward. As they near the Garden of Gethsemane, a figure emerges from the shadows. "Who are you looking for?" Startled, Judas tries to slip behind a Roman soldier. The others stop, some stumbling over each other in surprise. The military leader pulls himself up, and barks: "Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he." In tandem the entire crowd falls backward as if felled by a single stroke of lightning. After a moment's confusion, they struggle to their feet, baffled and embarrassed. The quiet stranger from the shadows, asks again. "Who are you looking for?" This time several call out. "Jesus, Jesus of Nazareth." "I am he. I am the one you look for -- let these others go." Jesus offers the betrayer a chance to walk away with these words, while the soldiers look on in confusion. They have come to arrest a hardened criminal, a dangerous interloper -- not this common man who stands before them. No one knows quite what to do. Looking into the crowd, Jesus watches for his one-time follower. Nudged by the priests, Judas steps forward and throws his arms around his teacher. "Rabbi." He kisses Jesus slowly -- first on one cheek, then the other. Does Jesus' face burn when those lips touch His cheeks? Does he kiss Judas back, holding him close for just a second amidst the crazy chaos of the night? Time is suspended, the onlookers frozen in awkward stillness as they observe the painful interaction. Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? Betrayed by a kiss. It could have been so much easier. Judas could have stood at a safe distance, pointing a finger while the soldiers rushed in. He could have called out from afar--"that's the one--there he is, he's your man." Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? No reprimand. No rebuke. Just piercing words that rock the money-keeper to his very core. The Redeemer reaches out in the face of lethal disloyalty and fixes forever his own terrible fate. Respond Try to imagine the scenes in the garden that night -- disciples waking from restless sleep, Jesus intent on revealing himself, angry religious leaders and powerful soldiers forming a silent, but deadly mob, and one man embracing betrayal as a way of life. Place yourself there. Sense what Jesus must have felt as the crowd approached. Consider what it is like to have someone you deeply love betray you in such a way. Hear the tender voice of Jesus. Meditate on 1 Timothy 1:15: It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Consider that you too are a sinner, perhaps worse even than Judas in the moment he betrayed Christ. Offer a prayer of gratitude that Jesus receives you daily to His side, loving you unconditionally. Write a response in your prayer journal. A Prayer Oh my Lord, how many wounds you must receive in your journey to the cross? This one must leave your heart raw. Betrayed by a kiss. I want to stand back and point my finger at Judas. And yet, how often have my lips burned your face with disloyalty? How many times have I reached for your touch, yet held my own heart at a distance? I long to say I will never betray you Lord, but you know my heart. Hold me close when I do...especially when I do, for the road away from your side is a desperate one. << Back to the Daily Devotionals, Home or Unsubscribe Copyright © 2004 Tricia McCary Rhodes