How quickly the calm of the day can turn to a turbulent period. This week, I experienced the beauty of a calm and sunny day, which soon turned into a cloudy and rain soaking afternoon. Life is sometimes like that: the calm before the storm as the cliche goes.
Imagine when this happens in your relationships. People who are committed to you one day, and the next they have turned their backs on you. Or, worse yet, are seemingly bringing you harm. Most of us have known events like this in our life.
I think Jesus was having a day like this in His last days on earth (Mark 14). He had just known the beauty of Gethsemane, where He escaped for its tranquility to spend time with His father in prayer — only to have His peace come to a shattering conclusion. The hard issue is that His peace was shattered by those whom He trusted: His disciples. Betrayal is difficult under any circumstances, but when it comes from within it stings.
Jesus would know betrayal. Judas would embrace Him with a kiss, an action of love and devotion that became a mission of hate. In the kiss, the mockery of Jesus was seen. He would allow Himself to go to the cross for even those who would sin against Him in the cruelest of ways, and yet would not say a word (Isaiah 53: 7).
The reality is that we all have a bit of Judas in us. We all are sinners…in need of a self-less Savior. If you think you are not a sinner…go to the nearest mirror and take a good long gaze.
Pastor Tim
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