Who Betrayed Jesus?

"Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me." And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, "Is it I?" And another said, "Is it I?" He answered and said to them, "It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born." Mark 14:18-21

Who betrayed Jesus? Who is responsible for handing Him over to His enemies that He might be condemned, crucified and put to death? Yes, it was Judas. But are you and I also guilty?

The Scriptures tell us: "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" (Psalm 41:9).

Judas ate bread with Jesus at the Passover meal and probably numerous times before. And he, for 30 pieces of silver, betrayed Jesus into the hands of his enemies that they might try Him and condemn Him to die. But what about you and me? We partake of Jesus' body and blood in His Supper. We sit at His feet and hear His Word. We worship Him as our God and Savior and call ourselves Christians and disciples of Jesus. But do we betray Jesus?

What about when we live in such a way that gives opportunity to the enemies of Christ Jesus to speak against Him and His disciples? When our life, instead of bringing to Jesus praise and glory, makes it easier for the enemies of Jesus to speak against Him and call His followers hypocrites? Cf. Ezek. 20:27; Rom. 2:24; 2 Pet. 2:2; Phil. 3:18-19.

Could our words or actions have caused others to sin or turn away from Christ and His Word? If so, haven't we betrayed our Savior, who gave His life to save the lost? Jesus said, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!" (Matt. 18:6-7).

Yes, you and I have often betrayed Jesus! But Jesus did not betray us and hand us over to be condemned. Instead, He willingly went to the cross, suffered and died for our sins and rose again. In Him, we have forgiveness and life!

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for the many times I have betrayed You by my words and actions. Grant that I turn from my sins to You in faith and receive the blessings You won for me and all by Your sufferings and death and glorious resurrection. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

Community on 03/04/2015