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A kiss. He was betrayed by a kiss. An intimate act shared between people who have cultivated a close relationship. Judas came to jesus while he was having his quiet time in the garden, because Judas was His friend, and therefore knew where to find Him. There is a certain closeness within this betrayal. The kind that cannot quite be summed up in words, but demands to be related to through means of experience. So imagine spending three years with someone, teaching them all that you know, and showing them amazing, miraculous things. You’ve cultivated a close relationship with this person. You love them. In fact, since we don’t really spend years living with the same people, traveling around and doing ministry in this age of society–well, world racers do–, the closest thing you might get to this experience is your three year old child. That’s how Jesus felt about Judas–he loved him as a child in whom he had invested three long years. Realize too that the disciples were Jesus’ plan for salvation around the world and throughout time. Not that the disciples save souls, do not misunderstand, but that jesus poured himself into these 12 men in the hopes they would go peach the good news to the world, leading people to Him. Yet we see Judas, who was privy to the greatest miracles of time, trade Jesus over. In a ghastly display of impulsiveness, Judas let the feeling of the moment entrap his mind and heart, and he was led away by evil desires; whether those desires were simply for gold, or fame, or maybe he just decided that he wanted to return to being a “good” jew–I don’t know. But I see how he let his discontent, impatient heart be overcome by an impulse, and ultimately, there in the darkness, the one who had been with Jesus stood opposing him as the leader of a mob and betrayer of Jesus by intimacy. I know how Judas feels. How frequently do I spend one night eating, drinking and just sitting in His presence, enjoying the intimacy and beauty of our relationship, only to be opposing Him in the darkness the next. I cultivate our relationship, then, at some point of true unabated impulsion, I am at the front of an anti-jesus mob, leading the attack. Far too often do I find myself opposing Him when the darkness comes. And I think I’m not the only one who can relate to Judas. Church family, at some point or other, we all betray Him. Do not be discouraged. Back in His grace when the enemy tried to discourage. Content my heart, Lord. It’s such a fickle thing. I pray that you be my intimate love, and that my heart find no pleasure in any other thing that may put me standing face to face with you in a context other than passionate follower, and eager son. Far too often have I washed my dirty, sinful feet in your waters of mercy only to allow that same sin–the sin you wanted of–to make me your betrayer. Still my heart in your place, and let’s dance there, Holy Spirit. Let that be the cry of our hearts, church–from now until we dance with Him together in the throne room. Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android so please forgive any mistakes. |
