“Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and 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. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” (Luke 22:1-6)
It was the ambition of every Jew in the world to be present in Jerusalem at Passover time at least once in his lifetime. Because of this, vast number of people flocked to the Holy City for the festival. The atmosphere was always inflammable. The Jewish authorities knew this and determined to arrest Jesus before the feast to avoid a riot. And Judas played right into their hands, offering to lead them to Jesus at an appropriate time and an appropriate place. But Judas was not the only disciple to fail his master during the last hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Jesus knew that, when he needed his support most, even Peter would turn deserter. He warned Peter of this:
“Simon Peter asked him, ‘"Lord, where are you going?’" Jesus replied, "‘Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.’" Peter asked, ‘"Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."’ Then Jesus answered, ‘"Will you really lay down you life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"’” (John 13:36-38)
And before the first Good Friday had dawned, each of Jesus’ disciples had abandoned him to his fate. Matthew records the sad fact that after Jesus’ arrest:
“...Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)
Lord, when chosen friends reject or disown me, or when they fail to give me the comfort I crave, I sting all over. This obscenity of Judas - exchanging you for thirty silver coins - and this cowardice which caused your other friends to flee must have caused you similar pain. You knew it would happen yet you loved them enough patiently to endure this pain. I cannot understand such love and courage. Help me to understand it.
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