Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Luke 22:21-23.
TEXT: (Jesus said) "Behold, the hand of him who
betrays Me is with Me on the
table" (Luke 22:21).

Jesus first mentioned a betrayal when He predicted
His sufferings to His disciples. Now at the Last
Supper He staggers His disciples with the words,
"Behold, the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me
on the table."

Judas must have been dumbstruck. Jesus has just
put the secret he has carefully hidden out on the table
for all to see. The tables have completely turned, and
Judas is at Jesus' mercy. He has the power to betray
Judas into the other disciples' hands or, at the very
least, He can foil any attempt Judas may make to try
to betray Him.

Now that He has Judas' fearful attention, Jesus
continues, "The Son of Man goes as it has been
determined...." No one will force the Son of God to
His sufferings- not Judas, not the Jewish leaders, not
the Roman governor-but in order to fulfill His Father's
will and to save mankind He willingly goes to His death.

But Jesus' focus is not on Himself; it's on Judas, "But
woe to that man by whom He is betrayed." Jesus wants
it to sink in. Like so many of the sins we contemplate,
Judas doesn't understand the full magnitude of what he
is about to do. Jesus wants him to understand, so he
will confess his sin now and receive Jesus' pardon and
forgiveness-before it is too late.

The disciples question among themselves as to who
would do this dastardly act. Jesus could do to Judas
that which Judas agreed to do to Him. It is in His power
to betray Judas to them. But He shields and protects
him instead.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You reached out to Judas with true love
and concern, urging him to repent and believe. Destroy
my love of worldly things that I may repent and trust in
You alone. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)