“But behold, the hand
of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it
has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they
began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do
this (Luke
22:21-23).
There is much truth here related to the
sovereignty of God and the free will of man. Christ was on a predetermined path
toward the cross and the path from this intimate Passover meal toward Calvary
went straight through the heart of one of His very own disciples. While many
have wrestled with the mysterious relationship between our free will and the
absolute sovereignty of God that is raised here by the words of Christ… “the
Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is
betrayed”, only Jesus Christ fully understood the depth of the matter
and the heart of the conspirator. At this table that He has so carefully
prepared, in the place of deep theological instruction, Jesus gives precious
insight into the heart of Christ for the betrayer.
The betrayer was in close fellowship
with Christ. Judas was one of the twelve. He was a hearer of the authoritative
words of Christ. He was a witness to the miracle working power of Christ. He
was most recently a partaker of the signs of the body and blood of Christ.
However, his submission to the will of the devil and the conspiracies of
Christ’s enemies were clear evidence that while he had close fellowship with
Christ, Judas had no genuine faith in Christ. Faith makes all the difference in
whether we receive the benefits of fellowship with Jesus. The promises of
Christ’s word are unlocked by faith… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever
hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come
into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). The
power of Christ is released through faith… “Truly, truly, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than
these will he do, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). True
communion with Christ, even at His table, is experienced via faith… “’It
is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I
have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not
believe.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not
believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” (John 6:63-64). Making
hunger for genuine intimacy with Christ our priority will deepen our faith.
The betrayer was in the core of the plan
of Christ. Jesus revealed here that He knew where He was going and by whose
hand He would be led. To our natural sight there were many hands leading Christ
to the cross. There were Roman hands and Jewish hands. There were politically
powerful hands and there were poor inconspicuous hands. Then there was the hand
of the betrayer that sat with Him at His table. Christ’s familiarity with the
plan for this day was revealed in God’s Word… “Even my close friend in
whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm
41:9). But through it all Jesus knew He was in the perfect will of God and
in the hand of His Sovereign Father… “Yet it was the will of the LORD to
crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD
shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:10). Remembering the sovereign,
providential had of God in our trials will mature our faith.
The betrayer was in the compassionate heart
of Christ. Despite His awareness and full control over the events and people
that led Him to the cross, Christ was troubled deep in His spirit… “After
saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly,
truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me’” (John 13:21). He
washed the feet of His betrayer… “’The one who has bathed does not need
to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but
not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said,
‘Not all of you are clean’” (John 13:10-11). Even as He was betrayed by
a kiss, Jesus called Judas His friend… “’Friend, do what you came to do.’
Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him’” (Matthew 26:50).
Holding onto the unconditional love of Christ in the most difficult relationships
will refine our faith.
As we grow up into Christ, our faith in Him grows as we study and
imitate…
The Heart of Christ for the Betrayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment