#14 Why Trust Jesus?
Can I ask a question? How did Judas successfully betray Jesus? Yes, Judas kissed Him in the garden, but I want to look at what happened before that because it doesn't really make sense how Judas pulled it off.
The Last Supper was the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples before he was arrested and crucified. The conversation was....foreboding to say the least. He's telling the disciples that one of them will betray him. Like a game of clue, the mystery begins with a barrage of "Is it me?"s Eventually Judas, the betrayer, asks the same question. (As if he didn't know what he would do. Paaaaaaaaalease. If I know I'm cheating on my homework before I do it, then he knew he was betraying Jesus.) (This is not an admittance of cheating btw.)
He singles out Judas via a piece of broken bread and says, "what you are about to do, do quickly." Judas leaves, and Jesus shares a few more words with his disciples. They leave the table and head out. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the Garden of Gethsemane to stand watch while he prays. A few hours later, after the disciples have been caught beauty sleeping and Jesus has sweated blood, Judas appears and kisses Jesus. This kiss was an act of betrayal.
Now, let's go back to the original question. How did Judas, successfully, betray Jesus? When they were at the dinner table, Judas got up and left the table to inform the officials where Jesus was. Matter of fact, Jesus told him to leave! Are you telling me that Jesus only had ONE spot to hang out/pray? Of course not. While Judas was gone, everyone else could've gotten up and skipped town, leading the Pharisees on a wild hunt for the Son of Man. Instead, Jesus walked right into his own suffering. Judas was successful because Jesus allowed him to be.
Is it me, or do things happen to us that we didn't ask for? We get hurt by those with who we are close or at least thought we were close. If Christians are loved by a Father who knows his plans for them, why would he allow these things to happen? Why do bad things happen to good people?
Maybe, there's a purpose to a mess. I can't imagine that being crucified on the cross was fun, but it brought about the liberation of mankind and the restoration of the direct communication line between man and God. I can't imagine being thrown in a pit by your brothers and then being falsely accused was something desirable, but it put Joseph in the position to protect his family when they needed it the most.
Many of you are suffering in circumstances that you had nothing to do with or asked for. Asking God, "why?" seems to lead to more questions than answers. It's a tough pill to swallow, and at times seems like giving up would be the best solution. (At least there would be an immediate reaction and possibly closure.) However, I urge you to not give up on God just yet!
Trusting in God is not easy, nor is it always enticing. All trials are meant to grow and strengthen you. They come in varying difficulties. Some are easier than others, but they serve the same purpose. See, God loves us too much to leave us where we are in our faith. Trust is built on relationships, but relationships are only tested when things seem to be falling apart. However, if Jesus rose from the grave with all power in His hands, then I highly doubt that He would leave us to wallow in despair. Take heart, for if He has conquered the world then He has surely conquered your world, too.
May the Lord Bless and keep you in all you do this week.
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 28:18 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
I'll see everyone next Monday! Have a great week!
