Title Betrayal! you shouldn't
Contents
Matthew 26:21-29
Today is the first day of Holy Week, the beginning of Jesus' suffering. That is why today is called Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday. Although Palm Sunday was the beginning of a full-fledged suffering for Jesus, it looked like a festival of the Jewish people. Originally, it was a tradition for people to spread their cloaks on the road or break branches and spread them out long when the king entered or welcomed him. So, even when the crowd welcoming Jesus shouted, “Hosanna, Son of David!”, the Jews said, “Jesus Christ, who came as the son of King David, you are such a great king.” King, destroy the Roman Empire that controls and oppresses our people, and save us.” Nevertheless, just a few days later, Jesus died on the cross. The Bible and history clearly show us the three events of denying and betraying Jesus at that time and their conclusion.
1. Betrayal of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16)
Judas Iscariot was a man in charge of the finances of Jesus and his disciples. He betrayed Jesus and sold Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15) and hung himself to death in pain and anguish (Matthew 27:5). Jesus said of Judas Iscariot, “The Son of Man goes as it is written in him, but woe to him who betrays him. ② It would have been better if that person had not been born (Matthew 26:24).” Why did Judas Iscariot become a traitor? It is recorded in John 13:2, “The devil put in the heart of Judas Iscariot a thought to betray (treachery) Jesus.” what do you mean? Judas Iscariot's usual bad habits, betraying and selling Jesus because it was against his expectations, and committing suicide are all works of the devil. When the devil puts the idea of selling Jesus into Judas Iscariot's heart, Judas Iscariot becomes an instrument of the devil and is cursed. Therefore, we also need to think carefully. We need to lead a good life of faith and take good care of ourselves so that the evil devil cannot do anything to us.
2. Simon Peter's Betrayal
Among the 12 disciples, Judas Iscariot suffers from betrayal, and even the chief disciple Peter denies Jesus three times. Of course, in verse 75, Peter immediately realized at the sound of a cock crow, wept bitterly and repented. Later, he received the Holy Spirit and went to Rome to preach the gospel according to Jesus' command. Returning to Rome, Peter was not a coward who denied Jesus three times. He is captured by Roman soldiers and martyred by hanging upside down from a cross. The Lord rewards us in heaven, but also in this world, with great rewards, he made us build Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, and the Vatican Republic. We must also return and be faithful to the Lord.
3. Betrayal of the people
The people who welcomed Jesus like a king completely betrayed him within a few days. The murderer Barabbas is released and calls for Jesus to be crucified (27:17). Even the governor Pilate is puzzled by this. Are you not as good as Barabbas, whom Jesus killed? I feel the separation between humans in the appearance of a crowd who betrays them thoroughly. Pilate takes water, washes his hands in front of the crowd, and says, "I am innocent of this man's sins. To this, the people answered, “Let our blood be on our children” (Matthew 27:25). The horse After that, Israel was destroyed, and those who survived wandered around the world as a landless nation. But they still kill Jesus and say, “Give that blood to us and to our descendants.” They scream and do not realize the sins they have committed. They restored their land and sovereignty in 1878. However, even now, it has become a holy land where terror and death do not cease. betrayal.
Dear members of Shepherd Church,
Betrayal of Jesus brings such tremendous wrath of God. You must neither turn away from God nor betrayed God. You must draw close to God. Be close with prayer, worship, devotion, service, and loyalty. “Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you” (James 4:8). As you spend the week of Holy Week, I pray in the name of Jesus, pray in the morning and day and night, read the Bible, and put more effort into your godly life and spiritual training.
Hallelujah, Amen.