Seeds for 01/31/2024 - Matthew 26:20-25
Scripture: When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, He said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”
They were very sad and began to say to Him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Then Judas, the one who would betray Him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “You have said so.”
Observation: Well, we can’t accuse Jesus of beating around the bush! Naturally, the matter of fact revelation that one of them would betray Him created quite a stir.
The disciples protest, including Judas. Matthew has set up the scene masterfully. We readers know what only Jesus and Judas know, that his protest is false mimicry. For the disciples, it simply sounds like the stunned disbelief and confusion they all share.
There’s something both sinister and common about Judas’ imitation of the other disciples. Sinister because the deed he has planned and in motion is participation in the government’s arrest of his Rabbi. Common because his is a deeply human—flawed, fallen human—response. When faced with the prospect of having been found out, Judas tries to blend into the crowd. He tries to disappear into the chorus of “Surely you don’t mean me?” responses of his fellow apprentices to Jesus. His disbelief, however, is not in the accusation itself, but that it is being made. His confusion is not due to the content of Jesus’ revelation, but that Jesus Himself knows.
Judas choice to betray Jesus rather than believe Him is being cemented in each small step along the way. First, to propose the idea. Second, to take the money. Third, to adopt a disposition of watchfulness. Now, to respond with deception.
In his classic Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis describes the progression this way:
“Every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before... you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or a hellish creature.”
This is why we need the forgiveness He offers. This is why we need the process of transformation He brings.
Application:
When have you noticed this unholy progression in yourself or someone else?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, keep me from falling for my own self-deception. But when I do, turn me back to you. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
If you liked this post from Seeds of Faith, why not share it and/or subscribe?
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™