Wednesday, April 1

Scripture: Mark 14:43-50
And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. And they laid hands on him and seized him. But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled.

BETRAYAL

Suffering the transgressors to lay hold on You, O Lord, You cried aloud: “Although you smite the Shepherd and scatter abroad the twelve sheep, yet I could call to My aid more than twelve legions of angels. But in my patience I forbear, that the hidden secrets I made known to you through the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Jesus is betrayed. Imagine you are in the garden listening to Jesus speak. Who do you identify with most in this scene? Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you scared and confused because your leader is about to be taken away? Are you betraying Jesus? What role do you resonate with most? How do you enter into the sufferings of Christ in this dark moment? Sit with these questions as you re-read the passage. Consider your heart and life in this scene. Jesus is with you. Although our humanity continually betrays Jesus, He loves us. He is with you as you look at the sin in your heart or as you are feeling some betrayal in your life. Jesus is with you. He sees you.

Today Judas watches how he may deliver up the Lord, the Savior of the world. Today the transgressor denies his Teacher; though a disciple he betrays the Master. He sells for money the Lord who fed His people with manna in the wilderness.

Jesus is betrayed. Jesus is present with you.  As you watch the video and listen to Debney’s haunting music, I invite you to keep the answers to the questions above in your mind. I invite you to breathe deeply, and fully enter into this riveting story. 

What images stood out to you? What thoughts and feelings flooded your mind? Spend some time talking to Jesus about what is happening in your heart at this moment.

Let us not, as Judas, choke ourselves with the cares of this life, but in the inner chambers of our hearts let us cry: Our Father who art in heaven, deliver us from the evil one.

Jesus is betrayed. He is betrayed because He loves you, because the Scriptures needed to be fulfilled. He is betrayed so that you might have an intimate relationship with Him. Jesus is betrayed and arrested. It is gut wrenching to consider our role in all of this. It brings tears to our eyes when we think of His great love for us. He endured profound embarrassment and pain on our behalf. As we walk with Christ to the cross, there is a deep sense of being known by him. He understands our weakness and pain. Jesus is betrayed but Jesus is with you. Jesus invites you to join Him in His suffering.

PRAYER
Jesus, we pray that You will allow us to see our hearts in Your betrayal and arrest. As we look at Your suffering and the suffering of the world with all its brokenness, enable us to see, experience and be agents of Your deep, healing, restorative love. Jesus we thank You for loving us. Thank You for giving us a relationship with You. Thank You for allowing us to enter into the fellowship of Your suffering.
Amen.

Chelsea DeLuca, Spiritual Director, Institute of Spiritual Formation