Betrayed By A Kiss
Psalm 69:22-29
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
Reflections: Although the immediate context is David seeking relief from the Lord from his oppressors, the wider context in the whole of Scripture is our Lord’s rejection by the Jews. The table referred to the altar upon which many sacrifices were offered, but in the end became less about true worship about God and more religious observance to perpetuate the priestly leadership. We see when Jesus came to offer the true sacrifice on the altar of the cross, it was the priests and Pharisees who betrayed him for a mere 30 pieces of silver. The altar of the cross had caused all of them to flee even the disciples he had poured out his life into for 3 years.
How can the cross become a snare to you? On the cross Jesus made retribution for all our sins and God’s wrath toward all mankind, which we will see in the next passage was poured out on Him who knew no sin. This is the essence of our salvation, Jesus’ life for our life.
Numbers 16:28-17:13
28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt. ”31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.36 The Lord said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to remove the censers from the charred remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy— 38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.”39 So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the Lord, or he would become like Korah and his followers.41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown.
Reflections: These are some of the passages we really struggle with as we see God’s wrath poured on the people for their sins at the altar, and then their sins against Moses as the leadership. Notice too how Moses intervenes on behalf of the people (which is what a priest is a “mediator”) and the Lord relents in His judgment.
We are often uncomfortable with the wrath of God and His justice, but it is at the heart of not only His character as a just God; but also the underpinning we will need to grapple with as we see what Jesus did on the cross to make atonement for our sins; which also satisfied the justice of God. On cross we were reconciled to God, his life for our life. It was his righteousness for our righteousness. As we understand the true nature of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are led to follow Him, worship Him and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives. This is background of where Paul says in the famous verse in Romans 12:1-2, “In view of God’s mercy, let us offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds; so we may do God’s good, great and perfect will.”
Take a moment to thank God for the mercy He has shown you and the provision for our sins in His Son Jesus.
Mark 14:43-52
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Reflection: We see the irony of Jesus’ betrayal. He is betrayed by a kiss. Here is the God of the universe given into the hands of the same religious leaders, whose very existence and purpose was predicated on the Messiah coming just as Jesus did. But they come to take him like a criminal expecting Jesus to put up a fight. But Jesus knew his calling and knew Scriptures that no word of protest would come out of his mouth, but he would be like a innocent lamb of God being led to the slaughter. Jesus was the one was really in control, another irony. Then we learn of a young man who was following Jesus in nothing but a linen cloth. With the 12 disciples all fleeing due to self-preservation and fear, we have this one young man left to follow Jesus.
Will you be like this young man when following Jesus causes you persecution or inconvenience? Will you follow Jesus to the cross? Judas betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver? What is your price?
Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23
Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 1 Peter 2:12
Jesus, Prince of peace, go with us, that we may be the caring and justice-seeking people that the world so badly needs. Amen.
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
Reflections: Although the immediate context is David seeking relief from the Lord from his oppressors, the wider context in the whole of Scripture is our Lord’s rejection by the Jews. The table referred to the altar upon which many sacrifices were offered, but in the end became less about true worship about God and more religious observance to perpetuate the priestly leadership. We see when Jesus came to offer the true sacrifice on the altar of the cross, it was the priests and Pharisees who betrayed him for a mere 30 pieces of silver. The altar of the cross had caused all of them to flee even the disciples he had poured out his life into for 3 years.
How can the cross become a snare to you? On the cross Jesus made retribution for all our sins and God’s wrath toward all mankind, which we will see in the next passage was poured out on Him who knew no sin. This is the essence of our salvation, Jesus’ life for our life.
Numbers 16:28-17:13
28 Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: 29 If these men die a natural death and suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the realm of the dead, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt. ”31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.36 The Lord said to Moses, 37 “Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to remove the censers from the charred remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy— 38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites.”39 So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40 as the Lord directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the Lord, or he would become like Korah and his followers.41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the Lord’s people,” they said.42 But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord said to Moses, 45 “Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once.” And they fell facedown.
Reflections: These are some of the passages we really struggle with as we see God’s wrath poured on the people for their sins at the altar, and then their sins against Moses as the leadership. Notice too how Moses intervenes on behalf of the people (which is what a priest is a “mediator”) and the Lord relents in His judgment.
We are often uncomfortable with the wrath of God and His justice, but it is at the heart of not only His character as a just God; but also the underpinning we will need to grapple with as we see what Jesus did on the cross to make atonement for our sins; which also satisfied the justice of God. On cross we were reconciled to God, his life for our life. It was his righteousness for our righteousness. As we understand the true nature of Jesus’ sacrifice, we are led to follow Him, worship Him and allow Him to be the Lord of our lives. This is background of where Paul says in the famous verse in Romans 12:1-2, “In view of God’s mercy, let us offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds; so we may do God’s good, great and perfect will.”
Take a moment to thank God for the mercy He has shown you and the provision for our sins in His Son Jesus.
Mark 14:43-52
Jesus Arrested
43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.48 “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him and fled.
51 A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, 52 he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Reflection: We see the irony of Jesus’ betrayal. He is betrayed by a kiss. Here is the God of the universe given into the hands of the same religious leaders, whose very existence and purpose was predicated on the Messiah coming just as Jesus did. But they come to take him like a criminal expecting Jesus to put up a fight. But Jesus knew his calling and knew Scriptures that no word of protest would come out of his mouth, but he would be like a innocent lamb of God being led to the slaughter. Jesus was the one was really in control, another irony. Then we learn of a young man who was following Jesus in nothing but a linen cloth. With the 12 disciples all fleeing due to self-preservation and fear, we have this one young man left to follow Jesus.
Will you be like this young man when following Jesus causes you persecution or inconvenience? Will you follow Jesus to the cross? Judas betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver? What is your price?
Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. Zechariah 8:23
Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 1 Peter 2:12
Jesus, Prince of peace, go with us, that we may be the caring and justice-seeking people that the world so badly needs. Amen.
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