24.192 | The Betrayal | Mark 14:10-11,17-21 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Text: Mark 14:10-11,17-21 ESV

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.

11 And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.

18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”

19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”

20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.

21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”

Mark 14:10-11,17-21 ESV

THE BETRAYAL

Judas was one of the trusted disciples of Jesus. He was their treasurer. [John 12:6] At the height of the tension towards the religious leaders’ plot to kill Jesus, Judas betrays Jesus. He approached the chief priests to offer his services in bringing Jesus to them. Why? He was greedy for money. [Mat 26:15] The chief priests were glad and they offered him 30 pieces of silver. But the most plausible reason is that Satan has filled his heart. [Luke 22:3, John 13:27]

It was tragic that he spent three years with Jesus, yet it did nothing to soften his heart. He did not embrace the truth not by a mile but by an inch. What lesson can we learn? It is not a guarantee that a child growing in a godly home would fear the Lord. Hardness of hearts can occur when the stubborn heart refuses to receive the truth as the clay is under the sun. Judas has listened to Jesus' teaching and just doesn't care—about the teaching or the claim of Jesus Himself. He may have either higher, political, motivations, or as the Scriptures only mention he wants money (Mat 26:15).

During the Passover, Jesus divulges that one of them will betray Him. Nobody casts doubt upon anyone. Instead, each one sorrowful saying to him one after another, “Is it I?” Each disciple is looking into his heart to see if he has the capacity to betray Jesus, and each one is afraid he does. It is good to examine always our hearts, is it not? As David prays,

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!”[Psa 139:24-25]

During Jesus’ arrest, Peter will betray Him and the others will abandon Him. But, these unfaithfulness were recoverable. They were carried by their fear to men for a moment but they were truly related to Him. We fail Christ, but must continually return to Him in repentance for our weaknesses and sins. Thankfully, Jesus is always willing to forgive those who ask sincerely.[1 John 1:9]

However, Judas' betrayal shows an irreparable condition of an ‘apostate’ heart. He rejects Jesus and His teaching. He breaks away for he was never part of Him in the first place (1 John 2:19). What a sad comment for Jesus to say, “It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” This is true of every unbeliever. It would be better not to have been born than to face eternal judgment in hell. Countless debates have happened whether God has made us as eternal souls with the free will to choose or reject Him. But, man is always responsible to believe in order to be saved[John 3:18]

Practically, we should reflect upon this narrative and follow Jesus' example of loving the lost. We should continue to preach the gospel and mourn those who reject it. Jesus knows many will reject Him in Jerusalem. Yet, he wept over them.

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