A Painful Moment

Jesus and His disciples are spending their last evening meal together before Judas betrays Jesus, with a kiss no less.
Even though Jesus had often told them of his coming death, the disciples seemed to be clueless to what was coming. The passover was always a solemn meal, but also a celebrating of the freedom of the children of Israel from Egypt. So this is what they were celebrating, the passover. He told them clearly, they will eat then He will be handed over to be crucified. Jesus looked around the table, "One of you will betray me."

Judas was there. He heard Jesus. What was going through his mind? Was he wishing he could back out of the plans? Or was he counting on the money? Have you ever been in a similar situation? You know what you are planning to do is so wrong, but you don't want to disappoint your friends? Or maybe it is fear that makes you go ahead. I wonder if that was Judas. He knew the soldiers had the power to kill him if he didn't keep his promise. Since the Bible states that Judas was born for this, I believe he was powerless to renege.

Yet, the moment was painful...spending every day for 3 years with a disciple and he betrays you for a bit of money. Cold-hearted! But wait...have we not done the same thing? We have chosen wealth instead of wisdom, gold instead of glory, popularity instead of peace, fame instead of forgiveness, self instead of salvation.

Jesus chose the painful moments of that night so that you and I can have the cleansing of the blood, and enjoy eternity with Him. "Near the Cross" a song many of us know, but maybe never thinking about the implications of being near the cross. Near the cross was ugly and painful. Painful cries that shattered the very heavens. Uncontrollable blood flow. Cursing, mockery, extreme fear. Then the darkest of days....

Have you been near the cross? Come to Jesus, His blood will cleanse you.

God bless you