Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

And (the chief priests and officers) were glad, and
agreed to give (Judas) money. So he consented and
sought an opportunity to betray Him to them in the
absence of a crowd (Luke 22:5-6).

Read Mark 14:1-11.

The priests were glad to have the possibility of
eliminating Jesus before the Passover-before He could
start a revolt against Rome. Who better than an insider
to spy on Jesus and find the perfect opportunity to
spring their trap? They agreed to the price of thirty
pieces of silver and considered it a bargain. The Jewish
leaders would no doubt have been willing to spend far
more to remove Jesus from the picture.

So Judas began watching and waiting. He needed an
opportunity to betray Jesus when He was separated from
the crowd, and thus vulnerable. Judas held his secret
close in his heart. None of the other disciples had a clue.
He went on acting the part of a friend-and none were the
wiser.

But Jesus knew. He'd known it from the day He first chose
Judas. He'd even dropped hints here and there (see
John 6:63-64, 70-71), along the way. He could easily use
this knowledge to avoid the situation for which Judas was
watching. He could even use it against Judas, turn the
tables, and betray him to the other 11. But Jesus will only
use it for Judas' benefit. He is waiting for that moment when
He can make the biggest impact, reveal the devilish nature
of this sin, and hopefully turn Judas back and save him.

In the meantime, He lets Judas keeps watching for his
opportunity. The betrayer quickly learns it is not as easy to
hand Jesus over as he had first thought.

THE PRAYER: