Luke_22
Scripture
Luke 22:47-48
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Observation-What does it say?
There is a lot going on in this chapter. Jesus is entering Jerusalem during the passover, knowing he is going to be betrayed and handed over to be crucified. He eats a last meal with his closest friends. He predicts Peter’s denial of Him and ends a debate about who is the greatest amongst the disciples. He also confronts His friend who is betraying Him. During this, Jesus never turned away from the task at hand. He was focused on completing the assignment God had given Him. To die for the sins of the world.
Understanding-What does it mean?
My favorite moments in the bible are the ones where we get to see that Jesus is both fully human, with the same emotions that you and I feel, and fully God, able to carry out a plan that had been set forth since before time. When He questions Judas, “are you betraying me?,” you can feel the pain in His voice. Judas was someone he spent a lot of time with, shaping and molding into a person who could change the lives of a multitude. Instead, Judas traded the promise of eternity for a few pieces of silver.
I have all too often been in the shoes of Judas, betraying my Jesus for a cheap imitation. Advice of someone who is not chasing after a connection with my Creator. The allure of riches to be had. A fleeting hope of notoriety through my hard work. All the while, Jesus is calling out to me to be with him.
One of the ways that I can turn from striving for an empty promise, and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus is through service. Paul gives us an example of what this looks like in Philippians 2:3-8. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Life Application
Jesus help me to always strive to live like you. Help me to place the needs of others ahead of my own. Give me eyes to see those around me with your eyes, as children that you have created for communion with you. And forgive me for trading your riches for a cheap imitation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P99ZfAHfE98
To check out the discussion or to join in, click here.
-Tyler Galloway
