Read Matthew 26:45-50.
It was the greatest betrayal – a sinless man being handed over to a death sentence by someone who claimed to be his friend and follower.
But, in all of this, what really blows my mind is Jesus’ statement to Judas as he came accompanied by a mob of angry, misguided men. Jesus simply says, “Do what you came for, friend.”
He calls Judas “friend.” I don’t believe that Jesus was using that term lightly. That’s a God of love. The Bible says in Romans that, while we were still his enemies, God reconciled us to himself through the death of his Son. The Message Bible puts it like this, “when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son.”
Jesus calls us his friends, even while we continue to sin against him. Let’s see that as a call to praise him for a love that we’ll never fully comprehend.
Bringing It Home
How do I see my role in the narrative of reconciliation? Do I feel like I bring some element of righteousness to the deal that “helps” my case? Or, do I know that it’s all about a gracious God accepting a sinner as a friend?
Lean In
Heavenly Father, Your Spirit nudges me to repent, your love compels me to come broken before you, your Son redeems me through his death on the Cross. Help me to never ever take any of that for granted. Amen.
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