“What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus over to you?” ~Judas

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Acts 1, Betrayal, Holy Week, Jesus, John 12, John 13, John 6, Judas Iscariot, Luke 22, Matthew 26, Matthew 27, Psalm 41, Spy Wednesday

According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a meal (Matthew 26:6–13). [Note: This is a similar but different anointing from the one on Lazarus Saturday] The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally thought of as the day Judas conspired with local authorities to betray Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16).

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Jesus over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. | Matthew 26:14-19

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Where does my identity come from?

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Betrayal, Competition, Holy Spirit, Jesus, John, Judas Iscariot, Love, Messiah, Peter, Resurrection, Thomas, Transforrmed

Jesus knew before he selected Judas that he would betray him. He wanted him as a part of the 12 regardless.

He knew Peter would deny Him. He wanted him as a part of the 12 regardless.

He knew Thomas would, at his core, doubt Him. He wanted him as a part of the 12  regardless.

He knew John was way too competitive. He wanted him as a part of the 12  regardless.

Would I do that? Probably not. Betrayal hurts.  Denial hurts. Doubt hurts. Competition hurts. It hurts to the core. But Jesus also knew that his Holy Spirit would fill them. He knew they would perform greater signs and wonders than He did. He knew that day would come, when, after His resurrection, they would be transformed and fill with Power.

Jesus’ identity did not come from anyone but His Father. And he knew how much His Father loved Him. He knew it in his core. So he could select a bunch of men who would betray Him, deny Him, doubt Him, be way too competitive with each other and yet be open to Him. They would leave Him alone at the most important moment. He knew it. He was grounded in His Father’s love and pleasing Him. Jesus, the Messiah, loved them no matter what.

May I do the same. May my identity come from my Father who is so perfectly good all the time. May my love come from my Father who is always in a good mood and has my best interest in mind. May my heart be grounded in Him!!

So be it!!! Whoo Hoo!!!