The Story - Chapter 26 - The Hour of Darkness

Two verses from the selection for today should give us a glimpse of our Savior's heart.  Jesus, knowing what had transpired in the shadows with Judas, did not greet Him with animosity or disgust, but still called him friend.

Matthew 26:50 (NIV)
Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for..." 

Do you think this pricked the betrayer's conscience?  Is it possible at this moment Judas was overcome with the reality of what he had just done?  I know that when I am faced with my sin, my betrayal of Jesus, I recognize it quickly.  I don't necessarily repent quickly, but I know what I have just done and my mind gnaws at me until finally I relent.

Matthew 26:56 (NIV) 
Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. 

Even though Jesus knew this was going to happen, for He even told His disciples they would run away, the fact they did it must have been heartbreaking.  Given everything He had been through that evening and now to be so alone, surely broke Jesus' heart.

Sin separates us from Jesus.  Sin breaks Jesus' heart.  Enough said.

Read Matthew 26:47-56 here

Listen to Matthew 26:47-56 here

Acts 1:12-26

"Have you ever felt betray by someone whom you considered a friend?  Has there ever been a person in your life you spent years eating, laughing and walking through life with, and that person let you down? 

The Acts text today speaks to that issue for me.  I have read this many times before, but, today I was struck by how Judas's betrayal of Jesus must have affected the disciples.  The chosen twelve had been together for a number of years. The men lost two of their best friends the same day. The grieving for the two losses was totally different; Jesus' death must have devastated the men closest to Him; while Judas' death may have caused conflicting emotions because of the reason he died.  

"Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry."As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow." (Acts 1:17-19)

The Disciples, because of the prayer life they had, discerned they must move forward. They knew there was much to do to let the world know about Jesus, their true friend. Jesus was the friend worthy of their grief.

Read Acts 1:12-26 here.

Star Bright, Matthew 26:1-16

A
Flash
Of light
Star light star
Bright, shining over
Bethlehem tonight, I wish
I could let the whole world know
That He came to this earth to let His light show.
If I could say it with words, would you even hear? Would you stop
Long enough or run fast with fear? He came to this earth to touch your hearts
Of stone. He came to this earth so you wouldn't be alone. But you want to live your lives
How you want to live. Believing in promises that weren't yours to give. Still you are lonely,
lost and afraid. You fill up the voids with things that you made. Yellow star sitting high
Way up in the sky. You speak so loudly yet we just pass you by. Some have
Noticed but never asked what...what must we do, we just stay in our rut.
How sad you must be as you watch us pass by.
You have the answers, He holds the key, but
We don't want to offend so we pretend
Not to see. We don't see til'
It's convenient for us
To complain.
Then we
Search
For a
Way
To
Give
Him
All the
Blame.

Reading today's passage I am convicted by how quickly I am able to blame God when things don't go as I would like.  With my father's memorial service is tomorrow, I am struggling with why God took him from me.  We like to point to Judas as the betrayer, but we all betray God when we accuse him of not loving us. Go to him today and ask for forgiveness, and praise him for his mercy as he sustains us each day even through our doubts and betrayals.

Read today's scripture at Biblegateway Matthew 26:1-16