Betrayed

Night has fallen. Darker than usual. Turning cool. Jesus has just finished the Passover dinner. Given His betrayer permission. Watched Judas walk out. Washed His disciples’ feet. Taken the cup. The end has come.

The unsuspecting Eleven follow Him through the quiet city streets. Flying high on the heels of the triumphal entry, they are giddy with what might be. The conquering Son of David soon to sit on His rightful throne. Somewhere a candle flickers. Then another. They descend the hill of the city of David, and Jesus approaches the Brook Kidron. Higher on the hill above them, the clear spring bubbles up out of the earth, circulates through the grounds of the temple, and fills the ceremonial cleansing pools. From there it washes out the blood of the morning and evening sacrifices before it descends the hill.

When it rolls beneath their feet, it smells of death. Jesus stands on the stone bridge that crosses the brook. Glancing over His shoulder. The smell fills His nostrils. Fitting.

Jesus enters the garden with the Eleven. Stomachs full of food and eyelids heavy with wine. “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” (Matthew 26:36) He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee. “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” (Matthew 26:38) Despite His pleas, they sleep. Snoring. Smiling smugly. Remembering how all the city laid down their cloaks and sang, “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 21:9) A song so loud that, had they been silent, even the stones would have cried out. (Luke 19:40) The Eleven are dreaming of their conquering King. A political solution. But their dreams will not come true.

Jesus separates Himself. Prays. He knows the end from the beginning. He is in agony. Listen to King David again: “O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent.” (Psalm 22:2)

Jesus returns to His friends only to find them crashed out. Oblivious. They momentarily rally. “Oh . . . so sorry, Lord. You were saying?” He returns to His prayers. Behind Him, they return to their snoring. Face to the ground, Jesus’ blood vessels burst and He sweats blood. His heart knows what is coming before His ears can hear. “Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” (Psalm 22:11)

In the distance, the air is filled with the sound and flickering firelight of soldiers. “Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Matthew 26:46) The stone bridge carries the echoes of swords and shields and whispers. Judas, thirty pieces of silver richer, emerges, smirking. He slithers forward, grabs the Master, and then presses his lips to the face of Jesus.

That very same Jesus—the Ancient of Days—who fashioned Judas out of the dust of the earth and then pressed His lips to Judas’s face and breathed in the breath of life, the ruach, has just allowed the created to betray the Creator.

Respond

Describe a time when you were betrayed by a friend?

How did you respond?

Prayer

Precious Savior, please place someone in my path today who needs to know of Your sacrifice and love for us.