10Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time. 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13 And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” 16 The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 When it was evening He came with the twelve. 18 As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” 19 They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” 20 And He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who dips with Me in the bowl. 21 For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” ~ Mark 14:20-21 (NASB)
God planned for our salvation from the beginning of time. He knew Judas Iscariot would betray Jesus, yet He chose Judas as part of the inner circle, putting him in place to be Jesus’ betrayer. We don’t often think of the great sacrifice Jesus made by that action. Imagine choosing as one of your closest friends and confidants a man you knew would ultimately betray you. Yet that is exactly what Jesus did. He deliberately called Judas as one of the twelve disciples, knowing all the time what the end would be.
Lord, it’s easy for me to condemn Judas for his betrayal, but how often do I betray my Lord by sins of omission and sins of commission. Forgive me, Lord, and guide me by the Holy Spirit into Your way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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