Holy Wednesday–Betraying the Holy
Peruse: John 13:21-22, 25-32 (TPT)
21 Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.”
22 Eyeing each other, his disciples puzzled over which one of them could do such a thing. 25 Then the dearly loved disciple leaned into Jesus’ chest and whispered, “Master, who is it?”
26 “The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied. Then he dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.” 28 None of those around the table realized what was happening. 29 Some thought that Judas, their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor. 30 So Judas left quickly and went out into the dark night to betray Jesus.
Ponder: We have all betrayed the Holy Word of God—the Messiah—haven’t we? Isn’t it amazing that Jesus is aware of humanity’s ongoing betrayal and yet loves and chooses to die for this sinful world anyway? Throughout Scripture, we note the Messiah loves those who love him, as well as those who hate him. However, the cross of the Messiah stands between that which is holy and evil; it calls for a decision and commitment. We cannot just have an opinion about the cross, we must choose it for salvation. On the cross Jesus became the substitutionary sacrifice for sin. So, we need to accept the Savior’s work in our behalf to separate and protect us from evil, as well as the future action of judgement God will take against evil. If you want to look back into the Old Testament to see more imagery, you will find the Messiah is the Passover Door [the Holy One] who separates the faithful from the sinful world, as well as the Passover Lamb [the Holy blood] who protects the lives of the faithful from the judgement of God.
In our lesson today, John the beloved disciple [faithful to the Holy] is on one side of Jesus and Judas [filled with Satan] is on the other. In a matter of days Jesus will repeat a similar position as he is raised on a cross between an unrepentant criminal headed for hell and a newly forgiven believer headed for life in paradise. The bowl of judgment sits before every person. May God help humanity run to the outstretched arms of our Savior so we stop betraying the Holy Word of God.
Prayer: Lord, my heart turns to your Word; I know my salvation comes from you each day. Thank you shedding your blood for my sin. Give me spiritual eyes to see and help me partake of the Bread of Truth that leads to eternal life with you. Continue to separate and protect believers while we remain in this evil world, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.