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Topic: Betrayal (02/16/04)
TITLE: Betrayal in the Garden By Faithaline Stanislaus 02/21/04 |
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He had spent the last few nights on this thickly wooded hillside, just a short distance from the city, and here he was again, except this time was different. He paced the ground between two medium sized boulders, growing more and more distressed. His breath came in short gasps and his chest heaved with each strained intake of air. He suddenly stopped his pacing, took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, trying to calm himself, but to no avail. This agitation was not going away. He had never experienced anything like this before, and he felt overwhelmed—desperate even.
Suddenly his knees buckled and he fell to the ground. He buried his face in his hands and prayed. He made the same entreaty of his Father that he had made two times earlier that evening. “Abba, Father! You can do all things. Take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” (Mark 14:36)
He had a fleeting thought of his friends Peter, James and John who were nearby. They were supposed to have been staying up with him on this dreadful night. He felt a great desire for their companionship in the midst of his turmoil. He went to the spot where he had left them, but found them asleep. He let out a sigh of disappointment, tinged with understanding. Earlier he had told them: “The spirit wants to do what is right, but the body is weak.” (Mark 14:38) He knew their struggle—he knew a lot about struggle. He silently mouthed the words of the prophet Isaiah as he looked down on their sleeping forms: “A man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.” (Isaiah 53:3) Tonight he had toiled over his destiny—the very reason he had been born. However now he gave a sigh of resignation. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back. The future of his friends, and all of mankind was at stake, and he was their only hope.
“Are you still sleeping and resting?” (Mark 14:41) he said to his friends as he nudged them awake. Peter gave a wide yawn and rubbed his sleepy eyes with chubby knuckles. Then opening his eyes he saw Jesus leaning over him and realized that he had fallen asleep for the third time. He gave a guilty start then hung his head in shame.
“Get up, we must go,” (Mark 14:42) Jesus said. While he was still speaking, Judas, one of his close friends came up to them, followed by a crowd of people carry clubs and swords. These people had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of the law and the older Jewish leaders. (Mark 14: 43) The leading priests and teachers of the law had wanted to have Jesus killed for a long time and Judas had offered to turn him over to them—for a fee. (Mark 14:1,10,11) Judas had planned to give them a signal, saying, “The man I kiss is Jesus. Arrest him.” (Matthew 26:48) So Judas went to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Teacher!” and kissed him.
Jesus looked deep into Judas’ eyes and loved him. He marveled at the fact that knowing in advance that he would be betrayed by such a close friend did not make it hurt any less. However he would not overwrite Judas’ freewill. He loved him enough to set him free to make his own choices, even though Judas chose to side with the enemy. Jesus answered, “Friend, do what you came to do.” (Matthew 26:50)
It has been said that in life, sooner or later, everyone will be acquainted with a “Judas.” Someone you trust will eventually betray that trust. It is interesting that Jesus called Judas “friend” even after he had betrayed him. He leaves the example for us to follow as well: when people sow bad seeds of betrayal, they will eventually reap what they sow (Galations 6:7). However, our part—the part of the betrayed—is to forgive the offenses of others (Matthew 6: 12, 15). This may not be easy, but with God’s help and by his grace it is possible.