Truth from the Bible: Jesus gave the disciples a visual picture of how His sacrifice on the cross would purchase forgiveness for their sins.
What do I do with it?: You'll consider how the new life Jesus' death bought for your is different from the life you would have been left in.
There's a YouTube video of a guy who lives near Johannesburg, South Africa. The reason for the video is to document this guy's "friends." All 38 of them. See, this guy lives each day with 38 African lions? Have you ever heard the old saying, "If you play with fire you're gonna get burned?" Would it surprise anyone if one day this guy made the news because one of his 38 friends has betrayed his trust and turned him into dinner?
Read Matthew 26:17-30.
On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”Jesus answered, “You have said so.” While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
-Matthew 26 (NIV)
Betrayal is a harsh reality in life. In this passage Jesus reveals His betrayer while reminding His disciples that His soon-to-be bloodshed would purchase forgiveness for their sins. The betrayer, Judas Iscariot would turn on Jesus and choose not to accept His free gift of grace.
Most people will experience a moment where a friend betrays them. Maybe you already have experienced this. If you have, you know it hurts. But does the fact that it hurts to be betrayed mean that we should stop opening yourself to trust or to love? Of course not. Jesus didn't. And neither should you.
Consider these questions as you embark on a new day:
Most people will experience a moment where a friend betrays them. Maybe you already have experienced this. If you have, you know it hurts. But does the fact that it hurts to be betrayed mean that we should stop opening yourself to trust or to love? Of course not. Jesus didn't. And neither should you.
Consider these questions as you embark on a new day:
- Does your life reflect Jesus' willingness to love even in the face of great sacrifice? Or do you take His free gift for granted?
- Are you willing to risk loving even those who might betray me?
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