The Betrayal Revealed

 N.T.#282 "The Betrayal Revealed"

April 10, 2924 

Matthew 26-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? It hurts, really bad it hurts, like a heart cut out pain. Today we will read of Jesus' betraying friend. You probably know who it was.

Matthew wrote about the celebration of the Feast of the Passover which Jesus had with His disciples in the borrowed Upper Room. It would be their last together. Jesus had a lot to say to His men before the capture and trial began. John tells us details in chapter 13-17. It came after their supper together, His washing the disciples' feet, and the betrayer left the group. It was like a private time with the 11 men who would carry on the work of Christ. Jesus spoke of the Comforter coming, He would be the Intercessor, and loving God and others. That gives us something to look forward to, the study of the book of John.

We can't skip over verse 19, And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover. 

Peter and John went out into the city to find the man carrying water, the one who owned the Upper Room. (verse 18) 

Do we have a problem with obeying the Master Jesus?  Are we willing to do what it takes to accomplish His will in our life?

LET IT GROW 

While the 13 men ate, Jesus enlightened them what was about to take place:

• Jesus informed the group that one of you shall betray Me. (verse 21) I figure they had no idea that Judas made a deal to tell the religious leaders where Jesus was for 30 pieces of silver.
• How did the disciples react? They were exceeding sorrowful. (verse 22a)
• Then everyone of them asked if it was them. (verse 22b)
• Jesus revealed who the betrayer was-He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me. 
• Jesus went on to say, woe unto the man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been good for that men if he had not been born. (verse 24)
• When Judas asked if it was him, Jesus said, Thou hast said. (verse 25)

Don't you know it was an intense moment for the disciples to hear one of them would betray their Master? And for Jesus to know it was so, how must He have felt? One of His own men who saw Jesus perform miracles, listened to His teachings, walked with Him would turn Him over to beatings and death on the cross. Yet, it was Jesus' destiny. He had come for this.

Did you catch the phrase that the disciples were exceeding sorrowful? 

Exceeding means whelmingly; in a high degree; greatly.

It is a different Greek word which John used to describe Jesus' soul being exceeding sorrowful when going to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

Exceeding means grieved all around; intensely sad.

Jesus was referring to the dipping of the bread into the relish bowl , that Judas and He did at the same time as a sign of who was the betrayer. How difficult it would have been for Jesus to sit at the table with Judas! 

Psalm 41:9 refers to this, Even my friend in whom I trusted, one who ate My bread, has raised his heel against Me. 

It especially hurts when a friend or spouse betrays you. Maybe they showed themself unfaithful in sharing a secret. Maybe it was an unfaithful spouse. Do we forgive them? 

How many times have we betrayed Jesus and turned to the world?

LET IT GO

Please for us Lord when we fail you.