A Subtle Betrayal
Scripture – Luke 22:1-6: 1Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Reflection: Judas is one of the mysterious people in the gospel story. No one knows what was in his mind and heart when he went to the Jewish leaders. Did he make a choice? Was he simply used by powers greater than him? What was his motivation?
God only knows the answer to those questions. The more pertinent question is, how will I act today? When I have a chance to speak about Christ, will I take it? One thing I’ve discovered is that people raise spiritual issues quite often in normal conversations. Listen carefully as people speak with you. You’ll be surprised at how often that happens. It might be a reference to an illness or death. It might be a concern about their future – what they’re going to do with their life. It might be a passing reference to prayer or God or the church. And of course, sometimes it’s just a straightforward question about faith.
If I pay attention, I can practice picking up on those comments. That is, I can let people know I heard what they said and it’s alright to talk about that. They’re not looking for a sermon or answer from me. Usually, they’re just testing the water – seeing if it’s okay to talk about it. I can let them know it is okay. Or I can just sort of skip over it and let them know I don’t really want to talk about it.
I’ll stay aware of this over these next few days. I’ll practice what I’m preaching here. In this culture there are many subtle ways to betray Jesus. I’ll be careful as I listen and speak to avoid doing that.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, July 19
Luke 22:7-13: 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
Reading for Monday, July 20
Luke 22:14-19: 14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Reflection: Judas is one of the mysterious people in the gospel story. No one knows what was in his mind and heart when he went to the Jewish leaders. Did he make a choice? Was he simply used by powers greater than him? What was his motivation?
God only knows the answer to those questions. The more pertinent question is, how will I act today? When I have a chance to speak about Christ, will I take it? One thing I’ve discovered is that people raise spiritual issues quite often in normal conversations. Listen carefully as people speak with you. You’ll be surprised at how often that happens. It might be a reference to an illness or death. It might be a concern about their future – what they’re going to do with their life. It might be a passing reference to prayer or God or the church. And of course, sometimes it’s just a straightforward question about faith.
If I pay attention, I can practice picking up on those comments. That is, I can let people know I heard what they said and it’s alright to talk about that. They’re not looking for a sermon or answer from me. Usually, they’re just testing the water – seeing if it’s okay to talk about it. I can let them know it is okay. Or I can just sort of skip over it and let them know I don’t really want to talk about it.
I’ll stay aware of this over these next few days. I’ll practice what I’m preaching here. In this culture there are many subtle ways to betray Jesus. I’ll be careful as I listen and speak to avoid doing that.
An Invitation: A small group will be meeting tomorrow morning from 9:45 – 10:30am to share what we’ve learned and seen in this week’s readings. We’ll meet in the Pastor’s office at Bethel Baptist Church, 13330 Trenton Road in Southgate. Everyone’s welcome to join us.
Reading for Sunday, July 19
Luke 22:7-13: 7Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” 9“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there.” 13They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
Reading for Monday, July 20
Luke 22:14-19: 14When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” 17After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. 18For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
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