The Day Death Died: A Holy Week DevotionalSample

The Friend and Betrayer

READ

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:14–16

Additional Reading: John 13:1–30; Matthew 26:20–25, 47–50; Matthew 27:1–10; John 18:1–9

REFLECT

Is there anything we can learn from the life of Judas the betrayer? Judas intentionally offered to betray Christ, received the thirty pieces of silver, and looked for an opportunity to turn Him over. The Scriptures and Jesus said this would happen, and all four Gospels record this betrayal. And even when Jesus foretold the betrayal and washed Judas’ feet, Judas did not waver in his decision (Matthew 26:20–25; John 13:2–5).

On the other hand, Jesus—though troubled in spirit—focused on serving His disciples, setting the example of love and showing them the full measure of it (John 13:12–15). When Judas delivered Jesus to the chief priests, elders, and the crowd, Jesus called Judas “friend,” not “betrayer,” as Matthew did (Matthew 26:48–50). Despite Judas’ decision to betray Christ, the Lord showed him kindness and love, even while he gave Christ away with a kiss.

Was it easy for Judas to betray Christ? What downward spiral could Judas have been on that led him to this crucial moment? Why did Judas give the devil a foothold in his life? Was his heart so hardened that even the washing of the feet and Jesus’ admonition of what was coming did not change Judas’s mind and heart?

The truth is, on our own, we are all capable of betraying Jesus. We could all make decisions in isolation, turn away from Jesus, and betray Him. And even if we do not betray Him, we may live in a way that does not recognize that He alone is to be above all. How many times have we hardened our hearts to His grace and run away from those who can point us back to Him? We are all broken and more sinful than we would like to admit, but we can humbly repent and rely on God’s grace and Spirit to sustain us in our commitment to follow Him. Humility is us admitting that we are capable of the same, that we are all in need of a Savior, we can be restored back to Him, and we can love others as He does.

RESPOND

• Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. At what cost, if any, have you put Christ in the backseat of your life, lost your faith in Him, or even betrayed Him? What do you think could stop you from becoming like Judas?
• Who can help you grow in your faith in Christ and love for Him? How can you love Christ more as each day passes?
• Have you experienced betrayal, whether it was done to you or to someone you love? How do you respond when you find yourself guilty? In an age that magnifies self, how are you tempted to respond to guilt, pain, and betrayal? How do the Scriptures say you should respond instead?