Holy Week 2023 - The Betrayed
Betrayed for 30-pieces of Silver
Posted by: CDFWarrington on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at 8:05PM
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Today we remember how Jesus was betrayed by one of his closest followers. This serves as a reminder that no matter how close or how far one may view themself in their relationship with Christ, none of us are safe from temptation.
Biblical Account of Judas' Betrayal of Jesus
The following verses from Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11 and Luke 22:3-6 describe the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. Judas, one of the twelve disciples, conspired with the chief priests and officers to betray Jesus. In exchange for thirty pieces of silver, he agreed to seek an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them. Overall, these verses serve as a reminder of the deep betrayal that Jesus experienced at the hands of one of His closest followers. They also highlight the role that greed and temptation can play in leading people astray.
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)
Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray Him. (Mark 14:10–11)
Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the absence of a crowd. (Luke 22:3–6)
Why should we remember?
The betrayal of Jesus is a pivotal moment in Christian history, leading to His eventual crucifixion and ultimate sacrifice. The story of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, has been told for centuries and continues to be a source of fascination and reflection for believers and non-believers alike.
According to the New Testament passages found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Judas was one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus to follow Him and spread His teachings. However, despite being a trusted member of the group, Judas ultimately betrayed Jesus by leading the Roman soldiers to Him in exchange for thirty pieces of silver. The motives behind Judas' betrayal are unclear and have been the subject of much speculation and debate. Some believe that he was motivated by greed and wanted money. Another view suggested is that Judas may have been disillusioned with Jesus' teachings and saw the betrayal as a way to force His hand or bring about a different outcome. Regardless of his motivations, the betrayal of Jesus had profound consequences. The Roman soldiers arrested Jesus and took Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, who ultimately sentenced Him to death by crucifixion.
The betrayal of Jesus is a reminder of the inherent human capacity for sin and the need for redemption. It also fulfills Old Testament prophecies, which predict that the Messiah would be handed over to His enemies. This message of resurrection and redemption is at the heart of the Christian faith and gives believers hope even in the darkest of times. The betrayal of Jesus may have been a moment of darkness, but it ultimately led to the triumph of love and forgiveness over sin and death.
In art and literature, the betrayal of Jesus has been depicted in countless ways, from the iconic image of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper" to the works of writers such as William Shakespeare, to which many have compared his Macbeth to Judas Iscariot. Despite the serious nature of the story, there is also a message of hope and forgiveness in the betrayal of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered.'" (Matthew 26:31 NASB)
Ultimately, the betrayal of Jesus is a powerful and enduring story that has been told and retold for centuries in various capacities. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the need for redemption and points toward the hope and forgiveness we celebrate this week; a hope that lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
Related Posts
- Holy Week - Introduction
- Sunday - Palm Sunday
- Monday - The Judge
- Tuesday - The Teacher
- (This post) Wednesday - The Betrayed
- Thursday - The Example
- Friday - Good Friday
- Saturday - Anticipation Saturday
- Sunday - Easter Sunday
Art depicting Judas
"The Last Supper" - Leonardo da Vinci's - Public Domain
"Judas Leaves the Cenacle" - James Tissot - Public Domain