FCS Devo Lk 22:1-13

Judas Betrays/The Passover

We open the chapter with a look at Judas, one of the 12 disciples, in front of the teachers of the religious law and the officers (Levites). Out of the desires of his heart, Judas chose to turn over the one whom he followed. The greatest crime in the history of the world is getting ready to be committed and we find ourselves in a state of confusion as to why someone who walked and talked with Jesus would ever do anything like this.

Meanwhile, the Passover time was approaching. This was the most significant event in Jewish history. This was the remembrance of when the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Hebrew people during their captivity in Egypt. If the Angel of Death came to a house that the blood of a lamb was smeared across the doorposts, it passed over.

So what does the betrayal by Judas and the Passover have to do with us?

The preparation of this specific Passover was significant because though the betrayal of Judas came at the price of Jesus dying, it was the fulfillment of the promise that you and I hold today.

See, you and I have all been Judas. Betraying our Lord and Savior for the empty promises of the world. Giving up on the One who gave His life so that we may live.

Jesus knew what was to come. Jesus knew that He would be betrayed. But had the betrayal not taken place, you and I would not be able to be brought into communion with the Father through the Holy Spirit.

In the next few weeks as we continue to go through the death and the resurrection of Christ, I want you to remember that what follows was done for us. That in the betrayal that we all have commited to Jesus by choosing what our will desired, Christ still died for us. That in our sin and transgression, He WILLINGLY walked to the cross so that we may be spared and that the punishment that we rightfully deserved may pass us.

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus died for Judas. Jesus died for us. Jesus died so that we may no longer be bound by the sin that so easily entangles us, but that we could be free from the bondage of sin and that we can live in the love and boldness of Christ in our lives.

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I want you to think about this moment. This moment that Judas came before the teachers of the law and the levites and gave the son of man for less than 500 dollars worth of silver. I want you the think about the things that you are giving Jesus up for. Maybe its an activity, maybe its a relationship, maybe its a secret sin that no one knows about, whatever the case may be, Jesus died so that you don’t have to live with things that will never fulfill the spot that is reserved for Him.

As we go into this season of remembering the death of our Lord and Savior, where is your heart? Is it fully devoted to the things of God, or is it searching for a temporary fix? Are you still living in the bondage of wanting more, or are living in the fullness of life in Christ?

Paul said to the church in Ephesus

Ephesians 3:19 ESV

and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

My pray is that we no longer talk about the fullness of Christ, but by remembering what He has done for us, we may experience a love that is far beyond what we can fathom or comprehend.